When most people think about Napa Valley, they probably don’t think about solar energy panels at the region’s top vineyards. But the green energy movement is coming to the wine industry, and that’s leading many well-known vineyards to turn to more sustainable forms of energy, including solar.

For example, Delicato Family Vineyards recently announced the installation of a solar electric energy system at Black Stallion Estate Winery, its flagship winery in Napa Valley. The solar energy system includes over 1,000 panels and was installed on the building roofs at Black Stallion Estate Winery by Sunworks.

The system reduces carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 377 metric tons per year, which is equal to taking 79.6 passenger vehicles off the road, reducing 902,773 miles driven by an average passenger vehicle, or planting 357 acres of U.S. forests.

Because of the time of use of energy at the winery, the new system results in a 98% energy cost offset and an 84% energy consumption offset, which means the property is almost at carbon neutral operation. In addition to the sustainability benefits, the solar installation is expected create six-figure annual savings in utility expenses.

Those bottom-line numbers are important because consumers are increasingly taking a closer look at the business practices of their favorite vineyards. Not only do they want to learn more about their winemakers, but also they want to know about the sustainable winemaking practices that they are embracing. And that could translate into higher sales as well, because they are willing to reward winemakers that take sustainability seriously.

"As a family-owned agricultural business, our commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship has always been a cornerstone of our company and the companies we work with," noted Chris Indelicato, President and CEO, Delicato Family Vineyards. "This solar program supports our dedication to sustainability and saves the company resources, which ultimately benefits our consumers."

This new solar energy initiative is not the only step that Delicato has taken to make its winemaking operations more sustainable. For example, all of Delicato's wineries and facilities are certified by the Wine Institute's Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing program. They also implement other environmentally friendly efforts such as water conservation; soil restoration; rootstock selection; erosion control; responsible packaging and recycling.

Delicato Family Vineyards is a family-owned company founded in 1924. Four generations of the same family have overseen vineyard operations and winemaking at their California properties. The Delicato portfolio includes a unique range of brands such as Bota Box, Gnarly Head, Noble Vines, Black Stallion Estate Winery, Z. Alexander Brown, Diora, Belle Ambiance, Brazin, HandCraft, Irony, Loft, and Earth Wise.

As more wine drinkers become aware of sustainable winemaking practices, it’s easy to see how wine brands within Delicato’s portfolio that are known for their sustainable practices could become more prominent. And who knows? Maybe the classic wine label featuring an old chateau will become a relic of the past, replaced by a wine label showing solar energy panels and wind farms.