Silver Oak Alexander Valley

The World's Most Sustainable Winery - AFAR

"Opened to the public on May 2, this new Alexander Valley winery is designed to be a global leader in sustainability, targeting LEED platinum certification and pursuing the even more rigorous Living Building Challenge. The facility harvests rainwater into enormous underground tanks and reclaims it using a membrane bioreactor so the same water can be reused to irrigate its 75 acres of cabernet vines; water conservation and on-site energy systems (including extensive solar) are central to the design. Salvaged materials are featured throughout — felled oak floors, repurposed 1930s redwood wine tanks and dismantled redwood barrels used as exterior siding, a staircase built from salvaged wine barrels (complete with red wine stains), and EcoBatt insulation made from recycled denim scraps — while the building itself reads as an airy, modern, barnlike structure with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the vineyard, crafted by architect Daniel Piechota. On-site amenities emphasize an all-electric, low-fossil-fuel operation (an all-electric kitchen with a specialty electric grill, 11 EV charging stations) and visitor experiences include walk-in tastings (fewer than six people), guided tours of the winery and vineyard ($30 per person, tasting included), and chef-led food-and-wine pairings with a tour ($90 per person). The team expects LEED platinum certification soon and plans to share lessons and resources with other winemakers as they seek Living Building certification over the coming year." - Aislyn Greene