For President Jim Bernau, saving energy is just one of many ways to be a good steward of the environment. That’s an attitude he has espoused since starting the winery in 1983, and it’s why he made a pledge to save energy with the Save More, Matter More™ campaign.

“You can’t derive satisfaction from your work if you’re using more than you should,” Bernau says. “Caring for the land is part of the Oregon story, and reducing your energy impact is one way to tell that story.”

Willamette Valley Vineyards has conducted an energy-efficiency walkthrough of its winery and pledges to address as many of the measures as it can, including a lighting retrofit in its 14-year-old hospitality building. That project is expected to cut energy use from lighting in the building by at least one-third.

The Turner, Ore. winery and vineyard is noted not only for award-winning pinots, but also for its history of sustainable practices, from salmon-friendly viticulture and recycling to championing Biodiesel and using cork — a renewable resource — rather than less expensive aluminum stoppers.

The Save More, Matter More campaign helped Bernau add energy efficiency to that list. “We all have the intent to save energy.” Bernau says. “This campaign provides the ideas and support to help us go from intent to action.”

As Oregon’s only publicly-owned winery, the cost savings will be good for business. But that’s not why Bernau is doing it. “Wine represents a way of life for Oregonians and walking softly is a part of our ethic in this state,” Bernau says. “It’s not just about saving money, it’s about making the Oregon story authentic.”