Berrywine Plantations and Linganore Winecellars was presented an award this month from the Baltimore Business Journal in the small to midsize business category for "Green Business of the Year." 

"We are honored to be recognized for our ongoing sustainability efforts and our commitment to the environment." said Anthony Aellen, President and Winemaker at Linganore. "We feel privileged to be associated with such an esteemed group of companies."

Going "green" has been the focus of Aellen and Linganore recently going 100 percent wind power Feb 1. 

"For over 20 years we have been smart stewards of the land by composting our fruit pulp which reduces our dependence on chemically produced fertilizers," said Aellen.

The recycling program has kept more than 15 tons of recyclable materials out of landfills in just this last year alone.

The EPA calculated impact of the move to wind power is outlined below:

- 196,400 KWh = 160 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide.

- 100 percent wind purchase will offset the equivalent of: 

• CO2 emissions from 17,942 gallons of gas consumed
• 371 barrels of oil consumed 
• Electricity CO2 from 19.4 homes and taking 30.5 cars off the road for a year.

"The impact of this change is incredible," said Aellen. "This is something we have been trying to do for years and things finally fell together at the right place and the right time. It is another step forward in land and energy stewardship."

In addition to running on wind power, recycling fruit pulp for deer feed and vineyard compost, repurposing of winery by-products and using natural organics for fertilizers in the vineyard. 

 "It’s all part of an ongoing commitment of over 30 years of environmental stewardship," said Aellen. 

Berrywine Plantations  and Linganore Winecellars is Maryland’s largest winery. It was founded in 1971 by Jack and Lucille Aellen, is located on 230 acres and produces more than 600,000 bottles of wine per year.