Nestled at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains, south of Salinas on California’s Central Coast, the vineyards of Scheid Family Wines stretch across fertile, fog-kissed land. Among these is Isabelle’s Vineyard, known for its high-quality pinot noir and chardonnay grapes that thrive in the cool marine air, warm sun, and nutrient-rich soil. But there's something more than just natural elements fueling this award-winning winery—it’s the wind.
For over fifty years, sustainability has been a core value at Scheid Family Wines, a family-owned business rooted in eco-conscious practices. Today, that commitment is more visible than ever. A towering 400-foot wind turbine stands on the Greenfield estate, silently converting steady coastal winds into clean electricity. According to company leaders, it generates 100 percent of the energy needed to power their state-of-the-art winery and bottling operations. In fact, Scheid is believed to be the largest winery in the world operating entirely on renewable energy.
“It’s extremely windy here,” said Heidi Scheid, executive vice president of the company. “The winds are dependable and sometimes blow 24 hours a day.” This consistency makes the location ideal for wind energy, and the turbine has been operational for eight years, producing more than enough power not only for internal operations but also for the local community. The surplus electricity goes back into the grid, reportedly enough to power 234 nearby homes. The company estimates that the clean energy generated by the turbine offsets the equivalent emissions of taking 4,500 gas-powered vehicles off the road annually.
Scheid Family Wines farms 2,500 acres of vineyards across Monterey County and produces roughly 900,000 cases of wine each year. Their portfolio includes ten global brands as well as numerous private label products sold at grocery chains throughout the United States. With 36 different grape varietals cultivated under their care, the diversity of production is matched by a commitment to environmental responsibility at every level of their operation.
Inside their Greenfield facility, the energy-saving methods continue. Skylights naturally illuminate the production floor during the day, and automatic light sensors help reduce unnecessary power use. The wine tanks are insulated to maintain optimal temperatures without excessive energy consumption. Their irrigation systems are equipped with precision sensors that deliver only as much water as each vine needs—no more, no less.
Beyond energy and water conservation, the vineyard is also home to natural pest control in the form of over 250 owl boxes. These owls take care of rodents that might otherwise damage the valuable grapevines, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Additionally, a significant portion of the acreage is certified organic under strict California standards, and lighter-weight wine bottles are used to minimize the carbon footprint associated with shipping.
The company's commitment to sustainability is not a marketing ploy but a deeply rooted family principle. Founded in 1972 by the late Al Scheid, the business has passed from one generation to the next with green values intact. “It was just always important to him,” said Heidi Scheid of her father. “From the very beginning, sustainability was part of the mission.”
During a tour of the winery, George Zavala, cellar master of winery operations, emphasized how critical wind power has become to their day-to-day functions. “We’re filtering our chardonnay right now, and this will be bottled in the next two days,” he explained, noting that the equipment is powered entirely by wind-generated electricity. “It’s a lot of power, and the good thing is that our turbine is able to handle all of it.”
From vineyard to bottle, every part of the process at Scheid Family Wines is guided by a respect for the land and a commitment to future generations. Their efforts have earned them recognition as a certified sustainable winery and vineyard in California, and their work continues to set a standard in the industry.
In a world increasingly focused on sustainability and climate action, Scheid Family Wines stands as a model of what responsible winemaking can look like. With grapes nourished by earth and sun and a facility powered by the wind, the vineyard not only produces award-winning wines but also a blueprint for the future of agriculture. The winds of change are literal in Monterey County, and they’re bringing with them a greener, more resilient future—one bottle at a time.
