ENERGY RESOURCE-10 September 2007-Sokol Blosser Winery Founder Awarded Sunset Magazine 'Green Award'(C)2007 JeraOne - http://www.jeraone.com

Sokol Blosser Winery founder and president Susan Sokol Blosser has been awarded Sunset Magazine's prestigious "Green Award."

The honor

Established in 1971 and located in Oregon, Sokol Blosser Winery is a family-owned and operated producer of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, as well as the popular white blend Evolution and the red blend Meditrina.

Sokol Blosser Winery's sustainable practices and achievements include:

-- estate vineyards USDA certified organic by Oregon Tilth and certified sustainable by LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology, an international certification);

-- underground barrel cellar built to U.S. Green Building Council standards, making it the first winery in the country to earn the prestigious LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification;

-- 25kW photovoltaic solar system that furnishes one-third of the business's total energy needs for production;

-- 50% biodiesel used in farm tractors and trucks;

-- recycling whenever possible, from office paper to pallet shrinkwrap;

-- use of recycled and unbleached paper products for labels, printed collateral, wine boxes and gift bags whenever possible;

-- participant in Oregon Governor Ted Kulongski's "Carbon Neutral Challenge Initiative" to assess and reduce the business' carbon footprint, with the ultimate goal of becoming carbon neutral.

In April, the City of Portland's Office of Sustainable Development awarded Sokol Blosser a "BEST Practices for Sustainability" award, which is presented annually to Portland-area companies demonstrating excellence in business practices that promote economic growth and environmental benefits.

"We've long felt a sense of social responsibility in conducting our business and our lives the way we do," Blosser said. "What's been especially exciting and satisfying to me is that in recent years, the next generation of Sokol Blosser Winery leadership has fully embraced these values as they've taken on more responsibility at the winery, bringing new energy and imagination to our commitment to sustainability."

For more information, visit www.sokolblosser.com.

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