Calistoga’s Frank Family Vineyards completed the installation of more than 800 solar panels on their winery property in fall 2024, enabling them to generate at least 75% of their 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 initially made the switch to renewable electricity in 2022 when the winery enrolled in Marin Clean Energy’s (MCE) Deep Green Program, allowing them to source 100% renewable energy from local wind and solar power. With their recent solar array installation, Frank Family Vineyards is shifting from purchasing clean energy and supporting the renewables market to generating their own, adding more carbon-free power to the grid. The remaining 25% of Frank Family’s energy needs will continue to be met through their 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,” said 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 is 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. 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 also maintains sustainability certifications across 100% of its owned and leased vineyards and was recently recognized for its excellence in sustainability with the California Green Medal Leader Award in 2023 for its leadership across the full spectrum of sustainability—environmental protection, social equity, and economic viability.

FRANK FOR A CAUSE

This year, as part of Frank Family’s annual giving campaign, Frank for a Cause, Frank Family has partnered with 4ocean to support their mission to combat the ocean plastic crisis and to further the reach of their sustainability efforts. Through summer 2025, every purchase of Frank Family wine will pull one pound of plastic and trash from the world’s oceans, rivers, and coastlines. As a 4ocean certified cleanup partner, Frank Family Vineyards has already pulled 12,260 pounds of plastic waste and other man-made debris, has funded 44 full-time boat captains and crew, and has cleaned nine high-impact beaches from Bali to Florida to California. For more information about Frank Family’s partnership with 4ocean, visit: www.frankfamilyvineyards.com/philanthropy/4ocean.

For more information www.frankfamilyvineyards.com

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