Family Owned and Operated Russian River Valley Estate Winery Reaches Long Held Goal for Renewable Energy Use
Santa Rosa, CA – (February 16, 2022) – Balletto Vineyards, a family-owned, estate winery in Sonoma County, is proud to announce that they are now 100% solar powered. This power extends to cover the entire winery, tasting room, event center and vineyard housing. One of the few estate wineries in the appellation, Balletto Vineyards is a family owned and operated winery, led by Sonoma County-natives John and Terri Balletto. The solar panels were installed by Taylor Energy, another local, family-owned company.
This conversion to operating fully under solar power was a long-term goal that began more than ten years ago with a small solar pilot project, continued five years later with a new barrel storage and office building that the Balletto family designed specifically for future solar panels with perfectly sloped south-facing roofs. Five years later, the Balletto family finished its 100% solar powered goal and invested in covering that entire roof space with solar panels. But the Ballettos’ focus on sustainability has deeper roots. Balletto Vineyards started in 1977 as a vegetable farming business, then known as Balletto Ranch. The family grew the business into the largest vegetable farm in Northern California. Weathering (literally) the climatic challenges of the late 90s, which ravaged Northern California and their own vegetable plantings, led the Ballettos down the path of sustainability. Today, Balletto Vineyards is rated to cover 100% of the electricity during the very peak of winery energy usage from August to October. During slower months, any energy generated that is not used by Balletto is transferred back to the electrical grid.
“We are thrilled to reach this point and be able to proudly say that Balletto Vineyards is now 100% solar powered. For many years we have strived to implement strategies and technologies that allow us to work in the most sustainable way possible, allowing generations of Ballettos to continue in the family wine business, and this milestone is a testament to that vision and success”, says John Balletto, President & Founder of Balletto Vineyards.
For the long-term health of a family business, the Ballettos have long followed the practices set out by organizations such as CAWG, LODI Rules. Their vineyards have been 100% sustainable since 2011. In 2019, the winery became one of just 149 California wineries certified sustainable by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA). Investment in their community and their employees is also indicative of the Ballettos’ commitment to the future and sustainability in all forms.
Vice President & Winemaker, Anthony Beckman, echoes this: “I have been proud to work with the Ballettos for the last 15 years. And this solar project is only one piece of it. Their commitment to the community, the farm and winery employees and their long-term sustainable vision set them apart. Solar energy represents our investment in the future our community and our respect for our Russian River Valley environment. Plus, it’s super exciting to be using the sun to run cooling, pumps, forklifts and basically everything throughout the winery. It feels right.”
Looking ahead, Balletto Vineyards intends to add four electric vehicle charging stations in the tasting room parking lot by 2023, as well as an expanded patio for tastings. The winery welcomes visitors daily by reservation at 10:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.BallettoVineyards.com. Find Balletto Vineyards wines nationally at fine wine shops, restaurants, and on the winery’s website.
About Balletto Vineyards
With a focus on single vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Balletto Vineyards is an estate winery in the famed Russian River Valley appellation of Sonoma County, California. Owned and operated by the Balletto family, Balletto Vineyards delivers expressive wines meant to be enjoyed with family and friends. Owner John Balletto and his wife, Terri, started in the vegetable farming business, growing into the largest vegetable farm in Northern California. Seeing a bright future for wine grape growing in Russian River Valley, John and Terri transitioned to grape growing in 1995. In 2001, they created the first vintage of Balletto Vineyards estate wine from Russian River Valley and today celebrate 20 years as vintners.
