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56 W i n e s & V i n e s A U G U s T 2 0 1 4 Results of sustainability projects The projects undertaken by Hunt Coun- try Vineyards in the past eight years have reduced the vineyard and winery's carbon footprint substantially. Total energy costs have been reduced by 30%, and the carbon footprint is down by more than 40%. Major contributions to those reductions came from moving the winery from the 1880s barn to an expanded building with a high R-factor, building a new insulated warehouse for wine storage, installing the geothermal heating and cooling system, and replacing lighting with low-consump- tion lighting technology. Sustainability in the future Art Hunt is the fifth generation of his family to farm the land on Italy Hill Road. He and Joyce have a deep commitment to leaving the land in better condition than when they moved there—especially now that the seventh generation of Hunts is on the scene. Three-year-old William Boutard Hunt is already demonstrating an interest in tractors and farming, while his parents, Jonathan and Caroline Boutard-Hunt, have established an organic farm on a 25-acre parcel. Improving the soil has been a major focus; they now use 3-4 acres in rotation for pro- duce, have planted an acre of fruit trees, installed a small greenhouse for seedlings and a 30-foot x 76-foot high tunnel to extend their growing season. (Read more about high tunnels in the March, April and June 2013 issues of Wines & Vines.) Even with the geothermal project in place, Hunt is still thinking of other ways he can make the vineyard and winery more sustainable. One possibility is to install solar thermal panels so the win- ery's hot water can be heated on the roof. Another is to consider photovoltaics— solar electric panels—to add onsite power generation and take the winery at least partly off the power grid. Floor insulation and wire are prepared for the installation of a radiant floor and concrete. G R A P E G R O W I N G W I N E M A K I N G TECHNICAL REVIEW