LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Cooper Vineyards owners, Geoffrey G. Cooper, MD and Jacquelyn P. Hogge, MD hired architect, Michael Pellis, AIA, LEED AP of Baskervill to design a new energy efficient, solar powered, "green" building with the intent to maximize renewable energy with sustainable building design and create a unique atmosphere for winery visitors unlike any other.
We believed that there was no better place than a vineyard and winery to design and build a "green building" where the goal of the entire operation is to transform sunlight into wine. In addition, to incorporating the renewable and sustainable features listed below, the architectural design of the main tasting room, with two complete walls of glass that extend up for two stories makes the visitor feel as though the surrounding vineyard is part of the tasting room inside. It makes the visitor's experience that of an "indoor/outdoor" space regardless of the weather. Not only are the construction features "green", the aesthetics of the design with the surrounding landscape, creates the impression that the wine tasting room is an outgrowth of the vineyard itself, similar to the way that the flavors of our wines express the terroir of the vineyard soils.

According to the US Green Building Council's website, among the benefits of green buildings are improved air and waste quality, reduced operating costs and a minimized strain on local infrastructure. It is anticipated that the facility will achieve Gold or Platinum LEED Certification – application is pending.

Located in Louisa, VA, Cooper Vineyards' new Tasting Room Facility features:

• Rainwater harvesting system that filters rainwater for irrigation & toilets
• Solar power panels that provide > 15% of electricity for the building
• An ultra-efficient geothermal HVAC system
• Energy-efficient lighting fixtures and Solar tubes
• Natural Stone & native Cypress Siding
• Structurally Insulated Panel System (SIPS) providing 70% greater insulation value over traditional stick frame construction
• Energy-efficient windows
• Extensive use of reclaimed and locally sourced materials, including stone from the Shenandoah Valley
• Use of greater than 50% recycled and/or rapidly renewable resources
  

Visit our Facility Rentals Page for More Information

For more information on LEED building please refer to: U.S. Green Building Council website.