Vineyard and Winery / Barrel Cellar
Sokol Blosser Barrel Cellar Recognized for Cutting Edge, "Green" Construction
On December 12, 2002, Sokol Blosser became the nation's first winery to be awarded the prestigious LEED 2.0 Silver Level Certification by the US Green Building Council. The new cellar, with barrel capacity of 900 barrels, features a chamber located underground to take advantage of the natural cooling properties of the soil. The cellar also features a living roof, covered with the same wildflower cover crops used throughout the vineyard to encourage biodiversity.
"The environmentally conscious construction of our barrel cellar was a natural choice for us, allowing us to create a needed facility and keep our commitment to environmental responsibility throughout our operation, vineyards and winery," explained by winery President, Susan Sokol Blosser.
The process included defining environmental goals prior to breaking ground, undergoing inspection throughout the construction process, and undergoing final inspections upon completion of construction. The formal application for the certification takes place only after the project is complete. The new cellar also met exacting design and construction requirements defined by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) in five integrated certification categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and environmental quality. It is such a rigorous process that only 37 projects have been certified in the United States.
If you would like to learn more about the LEED program and the US Green Building Council, visit www.usgbc.org.
