Jackson Family Wines Collaborates with Tesla Energy to Pilot Stationary Energy Storage Systems

SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Today Jackson Family Wines (JFW), the family-owned California luxury wine collection best known for its acclaimed Kendall-Jackson winery, announced it has installed one of the first large-scale Tesla stationary energy storage systems across a number of its wineries. Earlier this evening at a private unveiling in Los Angeles, Tesla introduced its energy storage offering. JFW was included in the announcement as one of Tesla's early strategic collaborators.

"At Jackson Family Wines, innovation is integral to our value system and core to the success of our family business. We innovate in order to achieve our sustainability goals and meet our customers' expectations to produce the best wines in the world," said Katie Jackson, member of the Jackson family and the company's vice president of external affairs & sustainability.

JFW has 21 Tesla stationary storage systems installed at its Kendall-Jackson winery and several of JFW's other California wineries, accounting for 4.2 MW of total storage capacity. The energy storage solution allows for the smoothing out of spikes associated with energy use in four parts of the winemaking process that incur the most demand: refrigeration & cooling, lighting, compressed air, and process water treatment.

Installing energy storage systems across several wineries was an easy decision for JFW. Technology plays an important role in advancing the company's energy strategy, which includes the purchase of renewable energy certificates, as well as the generation of onsite solar electricity and energy storage. Furthermore, energy storage will help JFW save hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, contribute to its broader sustainability goals, and continue to foster a culture of innovation in every aspect of the business.

Solar combined with energy storage is expected to provide JFW with a total savings of approximately $2M next year on electricity costs, reducing the company's electricity bill by nearly 40%. In September 2014, JFW was recognized by the White House as part of an Executive Action to advance solar deployment across the country given the company's commitment to install 6.5MW of onsite solar at locations throughout California.

"Innovation lies at the heart of how we operate our day-to-day business - it is how we run an efficient and smart wine company, and also a core component of our strategy for growth," said Hugh Reimers, executive vice president & chief operating officer at Jackson Family Wines. "When Tesla began offering energy storage, we recognized this unique collaboration would be a first of its kind in the wine business. It has been a great win for JFW, helping reduce peak demand at our wineries while stabilizing the local electric grid, which advances our sustainability goals and positively impacts our bottom line."

About Tesla

Tesla Energy's TSLA goal is to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable transport with a full range of increasingly affordable electric cars. California-based Tesla designs and manufactures electric vehicles as well as renewable energy storage. Tesla has delivered nearly 70,000 electric vehicles to customers worldwide.

About Jackson Family Wines

Jackson Family Wines (JFW) is a family-owned wine company that crafts award-winning wines of distinct character and quality. With a focus on sustainable viticulture practices, responsible vineyard and natural resource management and unparalleled winemaking, the family's portfolio comprises more than 30 renowned wineries. In addition to its acclaimed California and Oregon wineries, JFW's portfolio includes fine wines from France, Chile, Italy and Australia. Founded in 1982 by wine pioneer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Jess Jackson, JFW and its various wineries are led by chairman & proprietor Barbara Banke and the Jackson family. Visit Jackson Family Wines on the web to learn more.

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