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WINEMAKING TECHNICAL REVIEW Solar panels provide more than 35% of the winery's power. LEEDers of the pack indoor environmental quality. In order to meet the requirements to become LEED gold certi- fied, Hall implemented numerous sustainable design elements and practices. Designs and practices must feature water effi- ciency, energy savings, reduction in CO2 emissions and improved Solar energy is one of the biggest jewels in Hall's gold LEED crown. More than 35% of energy needed to power the winery comes from converting sunlight into energy, some of which is fed back into the power grid. Cupertino Electric of San Jose, Calif., installed approximately 42,000 square feet of photovoltaic cells on the rooftops of the winery's fermentation and barrel chais buildings. During the day, energy-saving natural light shines through skylights in some of the production areas. A radiant heating and cooling system under the concrete floor helps provide more precise and energy-efficient temperature control as hot or cold water runs through the slab. An array of five natural gas-powered PK Weathermaster hot water heaters installed on the roof of the fermentation building fire individu- ally as hot water demand increases. During a recent visit, only two were actively heating water. Individual water heaters fire up as demand increases. Water conservation is also a Hall Wines mission. Jensen Corp. of San Jose, Calif., designed the winery grounds with drought- tolerant plants, reducing irrigation demands by more than 50%. Recycled water is used to irrigate landscaping and vineyards. Further water conservation was achieved by using efficient low- flow water outlets, slashing building water use by 40%. CO2 emissions were reduced by sourcing more than 10% of the materials used to build the facility within 500 miles of the project site. More than 10% of the winery's building materials consist of recycled content. "We believed then and believe now it's a big deal to be LEED certified. The question shouldn't be why are you LEED certified, the question should be, why are you not?" Reynolds said. 46 Wines & Vines AUGUsT 201 1