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Napa Valley’s Frank Family Vineyards Flips the Switch to Solar, Generating 75% of the Winery’s Electricity

(Sept. 17, 2024; Calistoga, Calif.)—Frank Family Vineyards, a part of the Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) family of brands, has announced the installation of more than 800 solar panels on its property, enabling Frank Family to generate at least 75% of the winery’s electricity needs, including powering the winery, tasting room, and new hospitality space, The Miller House. Through a combination of on-site solar and purchased renewable energy, Frank Family Vineyards is powered by 100% renewable electricity.

Frank Family Vineyards Solar Array – Photo Courtesy of Frank Family Vineyards

The shift to renewable energy at Frank Family Vineyards contributes to TWE’s global commitment to sustainability, with the company setting ambitious goals for 100% renewable electricity by the end of 2024 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. Frank Family took the initial step toward these goals in 2022 when it became the first of TWE’s Napa wineries to enroll in Marin Clean Energy’s (MCE) Deep Green Program, allowing the winery to source 100% renewable energy from local wind and solar power.

With its recent solar array installation, Frank Family Vineyards is shifting from purchasing clean energy and supporting the renewables market to generating its own, adding more carbon-free power to the grid. The remaining 25% of Frank Family’s energy needs will continue to be met through its partnership with MCE Deep Green.

“Sustainability is a key part of our winemaking philosophy at Frank Family Vineyards, and we’re thrilled to start generating our own energy,” says Senior Winemaker and General Manager Todd Graff. “We’re always seeking new ways to minimize our carbon footprint and carefully consider the impact every winemaking and business practice has on the land we care for and the community around us. This investment is another milestone in our sustainability efforts, and we are proud to say 2024 will be our first vintage powered by the sun!”

The new solar array will generate over 573,000 kilowatt-hours of energy annually, the equivalent of the average annual electricity usage of 53 houses[1].

“At TWE, sustainability is a way of life and has been ingrained in our business since the beginning. We are so proud of the team at Frank Family Vineyards for their tireless efforts in transitioning to renewable electricity and switching on solar today,” said Rachel Ashley, Senior Vice President of Supply at Treasury Americas, a division of TWE. “As an agricultural company at our core, we must recognize the impact of climate change and create sustainable solutions to ensure the wines we love today are here to stay for the next generation. Frank Family Vineyard’s solar switch on today is an important step in TWE’s goal of transitioning to 100% renewable electricity across our global operations by the end of this year.”

Frank Family’s solar array installation is the latest in the winery’s “Green to our Roots” philosophy. For Frank Family, being green involves earth-to-bottle stewardship, including protecting and restoring the Napa River watershed, saving energy and water, reducing waste and carbon footprint, and being conscientious employers and good neighbors. The winery maintains sustainability certifications across 100% of its owned and leased vineyards. TWE was recently recognized for its excellence in sustainability and was awarded the California Green Medal Leader Award in 2023 for its leadership across the full spectrum of sustainability—environmental protection, social equity, and economic viability. Additionally, TWE was named Sustainable Business of the Year by the Napa Chamber of Commerce in 2023.

This year, as part of Frank Family’s annual giving campaign “Frank for a Cause”, the winery has partnered with 4ocean to support its mission to combat the ocean plastic crisis. Through July 2025, every purchase of Frank Family wine will pull one pound of plastic and trash from the world’s oceans, rivers and coastlines. For more information about Frank Family’s partnership with 4ocean, please visit www.frankfamilyvineyards.com/philanthropy/4ocean.

About Frank Family Vineyards
Frank Family Vineyards has been a part of Napa Valley’s landscape for three decades. Founded by former Disney Studios President Rich Frank, along with his wife, Leslie, an Emmy Award-winning former broadcast news journalist, the winery is dedicated to crafting exceptional wines with balance and memorable guest experiences. Frank Family Vineyards became part of the Treasury Wine Estates family of wines in 2021. Consistently recognized as having one of the best tasting rooms in Napa Valley, Frank Family is considered one of today’s most successful California wineries. The winery proudly stewards 380 acres of sustainably farmed, coveted vineyards spanning five estate properties, including the iconic Winston Hill Vineyard in Rutherford. While best known for its classic renditions of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, the world-class portfolio also includes méthode champenoise sparkling wines, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and more.

For more information about Frank Family Vineyards, please visit www.frankfamilyvineyards.com

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About Treasury Americas
With its U.S. headquarters in Napa, California, Treasury Americas is one of the largest Napa Valley growers, producing luxury grapes in 10 Napa American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) and supplying the strongest luxury portfolio of iconic American brands, such as Beaulieu Vineyard, Beringer Vineyards, DAOU Vineyards, Etude Winery, Frank Family Vineyards, Stags’ Leap Winery, and Sterling Vineyards, that have been awarded more than 2,000 90+ scores from respected wine critics globally. With beloved wineries in California’s most celebrated wine regions, Treasury Americas takes a comprehensive approach to sustainability. Recognized as the California Green Medal Leader, the Sustainable Business of the Year by the Napa Chamber of Commerce, #1 Healthiest Employer in the Bay Area and a top Healthiest Employer nationally, Treasury Americas’ commitment to supporting a prosperous future for winegrowing is clear.

[1] EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator

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