5 Ways Our Living Building Challenge Certification Benefits You and the Environment
In April 2020, Silver Oak became the largest, certified Living Building in the world
Over five years ago, we set out to build a new home in the Alexander Valley with you and the Cabernets you love in mind. Our goal was to create a place you’d love that fostered a symbiotic relationship between winery and ecosystem—from light and air to nature and community.
“We approached this challenge as an opportunity to shift the paradigm in how we think about our most important artifacts as an industry: vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms,” adds Haley Duncan, sustainability manager. “Symbolically, the winery is built to engender community relationships and also set a broader, global benchmark here in Sonoma County.”
Today, we are proud to be the first winery to ever receive Living Building Challenge certification in all seven performance areas, or “petals,” from the International Living Future Institute (ILFI). The Living Building Challenge is the built environment’s most ambitious performance standard. For context, this achievement is now shared by only 25 buildings in the world.
“It’s inspiring to see such a beautiful facility earn the world’s most ambitious standard for regenerative design,” said Jason F. McLennan, the founder of ILFI and the Living Building Challenge. “The fact that a manufacturing facility with such unique challenges achieved Living Certification is a true tribute to the collaborative nature of the project and the power of good design.”
The Silver Oak Alexander Valley Winery is only the second Living Building project in the state of California.
Here are five ways our newest certification benefits you and the environment—and their respective petals:
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Direct farm-to-table food
Our Alexander Valley Winery helps “realign how people understand and relate to the natural environment.” In our Food & Wine Pairing experience, guests tour the impressive herb and vegetable garden from which the Silver Oak Culinary Team sources its lunch menus.
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A clear conscience
Water is a precious resource, and the Challenge calls for redefinition of water waste. Our processed wastewater—water that’s generated during winemaking—is treated by a membrane bioreactor (MBR), disinfected with an ultra violet system and stored in a 100,000 gallon tank. This water is reused for toilet flushing and equipment wash downs in the winery. (This is why the toilet water in the restrooms are slightly tinted!)
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The lights are always on
In addition to water, we are also net positive energy. The installation of 2,595 solar panels allows us to produce more energy than we consume. We also have a lithium ion phosphate battery for energy storage. Not only does it reduce operating costs, but it also keeps us powered during area outages.
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Good vibes
Our Healdsburg tasting room is a beautiful place, but it also makes you feel good by bringing you closer to fresh air, sunlight and each other. It was important to incorporate several gathering spaces throughout the tasting room and winery—each with shared patios and picnic tables that promote a sense of gathering.
We enjoy our conversations with you—especially hearing your Bottle Stories!
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Beautiful (and eco-conscious) social media content
To “help create a materials economy that is non-toxic, ecologically restorative, transparent and socially equitable,” we carefully vetted more than 3,000 building materials and equipment choices for harmful and commonly found chemical on the “red list.” For example, the reclaimed redwood siding on the winery and tasting room was salvaged from old wine tanks built by Cherokee Winery in the 1930s.
Also, the local landscape becomes art with an architectural concept designed to “frame the vineyard.” Through this framing, moments that could have been overlooked become focal points—like the tree-lined walkway to the tasting room and the rhythm of crisp and textured paving stones.
Healdsburg is a unique oasis. Whether your first time or your fourth, we look forward to welcoming you in the future. Until then, visit us virtually via our IGTV series, “A Year in Healdsburg.”