Providing all of winery’s energy needs in time for Earth Month
Napa Valley, April 22 2024 — Titus Vineyards has installed more than 100 solar panels on the winery roof. The panels, which came on line on February 15, are now providing 95% of the winery’s energy needs on an annual basis.
“We have been celebrating Earth Day early,” explains winemaker Stephen Cruzan. “We have been planning to integrate solar power into the winery’s energy program for several years and now, thanks to Summit Technology Group, we’re in operation,” he adds.
For the majority of the year the winery will be able to sell power back to the grid.
In recent years Eric and Stephen started discussing renewable energy. Incorporating solar energy into the plant’s operations was seen also as an opportunity to invest in the facility. “We’re proud to ‘walk the walk’ in terms of putting green practices into action at the winery,” Cruzan explains. “We are focused on providing a sustainable future for winery,” adds Titus.
The installation of the panels was very elaborate. Summit Technology Group installed ballasts that are attached to the roof and screwed in a system of rails to support the solar panels and then configured them to lie flat to have the ideal amount of sun absorption with the exception of above the tasting room, where they’re canted to be visible.
Earth Day takes place on April 22; the month of April is considered Earth Month. Earth Day is an annual event which demonstrates support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by Earthday.org.
Titus Vineyards is a family owned 50-acre vineyard and winery located at the base of Howell Mountain along the Silverado Trail in the heart of the St. Helena AVA, Napa Valley. The history of the property extends back to 1841 and includes General Marino Vallejo, Dr. Edward Bale, Charles Krug, and Eli York. The land has been continuously farmed for over 150 years, with the Titus family’s first harvest in 1969. Dr. Lee Titus, a radiologist, practicing in Sonoma at the time, purchased the land in 1968 and soon after, took over farming the vineyard. Lee oversaw planting all five Bordeaux varietals as the old vineyards were being replanted.
Titus Vineyards’ tasting room offers a stunning view of the winery’s 50-acre vineyard estate, with its floor-to-ceiling glass and outdoor seating welcomes Valley views to the south, west and north of the property.
