Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/101495
GRAPEGROWING sprayers, and we maintain a virus-free mother block for new plantings. For example, pest-control applications such as Surround are applied using electric eyeactuated low-volume directed sprayers. At Snoqualmie, energy use continues on a downward trend. Tracking kilowatt-hours used per gallon of wine produced, we are averaging about 8% reduction per year over the past six years. (Converting this reduction in kWh used to carbon dioxide equivalents using the EPA���s calculator, our average reduction is about 280,000kg of carbon dioxide equivalents per year.) Results were achieved through guidance from Energy Industries to upgrade the lighting system, including motion sensors and efficient bulbs and ballasts; the company also aided in capturing rebates and tax incentives available through our energy suppliers. Winery water use continues to trend down as well, with a 6% reduction per year over the past seven years to an average of 2.46 gallons of water per gallon of wine produced. We also started using Hotsy high-pressure, low-volume wash equipment and continue to make improvements in our wash-and-rinse water-reuse program. We have teamed with RockTenn to improve our recycling options and have successfully reduced solid waste like packaging, bottles, corks, capsules and oak adjuncts over the past two years from 11.74 tons per thousand tons of grapes processed to 5.98 tons. For the past eight years, we have been recycling grape pomace to fertilizer and livestock feed, and wood adjuncts and cork are recycled to landscaping mulch. We have implemented N ORTHW EST B.C. Seattle WASHINGTON Yakima Spokane Snoqualmie Vineyards ID OR improvements to packaging by using Forest Stewardship Council-certified corks, 100% post-consumer labels, lightweight Eco-Glass and reduced shipping box weights. We give preference to local and regional vendors using recycled content and have dramatically reduced our transportation footprint with use of Railex refrigerated rail service. Our ���employee-owned��� safety program is second to none. Included are workers��� right-to-know, continued safety training, materials handling and prevention planning, and equipment inspections���all fostering a sustainable, safe workplace. Snoqualmie is somewhat the ���poster winery��� within Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, as many of the sustainable programs we began have now been adopted by our sister wineries. My winemaking style/philosophy embraces frugal use of quality inputs and materials with emphasis on low impact to the environment and the bottom line. This sustainable approach incorporates community responsibilities as well and led to my initial interest in the development of Winerywise, the Washington guide to sustainable winery practices. My role as chair of the Winerywise effort has been to help propel the advancement of sustainable winery practices within the Washington wine industry. I lead this effort to gather knowledge and input from a cross-section of the Washington wine industry, sustainability experts and educators; to evaluate best winery practices and establish sustainable guidelines to assure the growth of Washington���s wine industry well into the future. Try Before you Buy ��� conTacT your local rep Today FREE TRIAL OF OUR NEW TANKJET �� 55 BARREL CLEANER Superior Spray. SeriouS reSultS. TankJet 55 barrel cleaner for cleaning barrels up to 5��� (1.5 m) in dia. Take advantage of this risk-free offer to try our new TankJet 55 barrel cleaner in your winery. You���ll experience benefits like these: ��� owerfulcleaningusinglowflow P rates to prevent toast removal and reduce water and chemical use ��� astcycletimesenablecleaning F of multiple barrels in minutes ��� urableconstructionanduse D of wear-resistant materials extend service life ��� asytouse���compatiblewith E most pumps and pressure washers Try the TankJet 55 today! call 1-800-95-Spray or visit TankJet.com. SEE US AT UNIFIED, BOOTH #1002 Win es & Vin es JA N UA RY 20 13 69