One of the most important new trends for California wineries these days is environmental sustainability, with an increasing number of wineries within the state turning their attention to solar energy and other renewable energy projects. In one of the largest solar projects ever completed for a Central Coast winery, San Antonio Winery - the founding winery of the 100-year-old Riboli Family Wine Estates, has completed a solar project that will supply energy to its new world-class production facility and hospitality center in Paso Robles, California.

The rooftop project uses 1,520 panels across approximately 100,000 square feet of roof space, making it one of the largest rooftop solar projects for a winery on the Central Coast. The solar is on the roof of the production facility and will power both the wine operations and the adjacent hospitality center.

“The entire Paso Robles facility is an incredible showcase for San Antonio Winery’s investment in the environment, the community and great wine,” said Alan Russo, senior vice president of sales and marketing at REC Solar, which partnered with San Antonio Winery on the project. “We are proud to have partnered with them on this solar energy initiative.”

But the investment is about more than just showcasing the winery’s interest in sustainability and preserving the local environment - it’s also about energy efficiency and cost savings. The 517-kw rooftop system from REC Solar generates 827,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power 60 homes for a year. The system will provide about 80 percent of the energy needed for the facility and is expected to save more than $4 million over the next 30 years.

The new solar project for San Antonio Winery is especially noteworthy, given the 100-year winemaking tradition at the winery, which was founded in Los Angeles back in 1917. It shows that the winery really is committed to innovation in all parts of the winemaking business.

“This year Riboli Family Wine Estates is celebrating our 100th year producing wine. The solar system and other sustainability measures at our newest facility in Paso Robles are perfect examples of the continued innovation that has helped make our business successful,” said fourth-generation family winemaker Anthony Riboli.

Of course, it helps that the sunny California climate makes solar energy so cost-effective. “We are blessed to work in a beautiful area with a climate that provides us with plenty of sunshine. Using that sun to generate our own renewable power on our rooftop is a huge win. It empowers us to minimize our impact on the environment, create more predictable costs and produce incredible wine in our sustainable, modern facility,” said Riboli.

The big question, of course, is whether other wineries in California will be similarly inspired to take on new solar power and renewable energy projects designed to minimize their environmental footprint. Being a good environmental citizen is something that wine drinkers are coming to expect from their winemakers, it’s now just up to the wineries to make the economic case for implementation.