Working at a winery may have more perks than just the tastings. Willamette Valley Vineyards in Oregon is a biodiesel pioneer, not only using biodiesel in eight production and delivery vehicles and all tractors, but also offering employees up to 50 free gallons of biodiesel a month to help mitigate the carbon footprint of their daily commute to work. There are currently 18 employees active in the program, according to Caitlyn Kari, Willamette Valley Vineyards' Marketing Coordinator.

“We have employees who commute from as far away as Eugene, McMinnville and Portland" said Kari, "up to a 116 miles round-trip daily." "Subsituting biodiesel for petroleum on those commutes is so much better for the environment." She credits Jim Bernau, present and founder of the vineyard, for initiating biodiesel in business - and personal - use. She also notes that the Oregon Wine Industry as a whole has taken the initiative in using the cleaner fuel to operate their businesses.

Willamette Valley Vineyards is one of a growing number of businesses from across the country that has turned to environmentally friendly biodiesel to help reduce emissions and lessen their environmental  impact.  

Spring 2010