Stacking Energy Savings | Sustainable Story: Niner Wine Estates

Shoppers’ sense of urgency around climate change is rising.

78% of global consumers feel that environmental sustainability is important, they like the idea of being sustainable, and want to live more sustainable lives (Simon Kucher & Partners, 2021).

While many brands and retailers today are making eco-friendly claims, some chalk up to little more than greenwashing: a marketing ploy designed to make products seem more sustainable than they are.

Because of this, consumers feel that they can’t always trust “green” claims.

It’s more important than ever for sustainable brands like you to share your sustainable story in a meaningful and authentic way.

Wondering what it means to share a story that consumers can trust? See an example in this week’s Marketing Tip, where we share Niner Wine Estates’ Sustainable Story surrounding the Value of Energy Efficiency.
 

Stacking Energy Savings

Electricity use in the winery accounts for a large proportion of the end-product’s energy demand. From keeping buildings and tanks at proper temperatures to powering equipment and lighting, energy use in a winery adds up quickly.

Anticipating increasing energy demand and cost, Niner Wine Estates built its winery into a hillside. Because of this, the ground level on one side of the building is a couple of stories higher than the ground level on the other side. This wasn’t a flaw in the design; rather, it was a strategy to allow for a gravity-flow winemaking system.

Grapes are brought into the facility at the top level. Instead of being transferred by machines, the grapes move with gravity down the tiers of the building through each stage of the winemaking process.

Another energy-efficient benefit of the hillside is that the earth surrounding the building works as natural insulation, reducing the need for a cooling system to keep the facility at optimal temperatures.

Sunlight is yet another natural element that Niner Wine Estates utilizes. Large windows in the production facility and tasting rooms allow sunlight to fill these buildings during the day.

When they do need electricity, the grid is not their primary source. Since 2015, the majority of their tasting room, restaurant, wineries, and wells have been powered by the sun. There are two banks of high-efficiency solar panels on the property: one on the top of their winery building and the other on the ground next to their tasting room.

Additional solar panels can be found in the parking lot, but they aren’t used to power business operations. These solar banks are on top of EV charging stations, welcoming staff and guests to plug in while they enjoy their time at Niner Wine Estates.

Together, all of these components have a significant impact on Niner Wine Estates’ Energy Efficiency, and have earned the business two symbols of sustainability achievement: SIP Certified and LEED-Certified, level Silver.
 

Coming Soon! Updates to the Online Course

Over the past several months, we’ve spent nearly 30 hours writing new Sustainable Stories, refining our training module, and recording and editing video content to bring you and your staff an updated online course.

Keep an eye out for the official announcement! You’ll see it here in the Marketing Tips Newsletter, SIP Certified News, and on our online course portal.

Can’t wait? Schedule a live training in person or via video call!