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Md. Winery Uses Wind Power

MOUNT AIRY, Md. (WJZ) -- A Frederick County family is using wind to power their winery.

Jessica Kartalija reports now they want other wine makers to follow their lead.

At Linganore Winecellars, president and winemaker Anthony Allen is using wind to make wine.

"I want to be environmentally sound," Allen said.

Linganore is Maryland's largest winery and now the greenest.

"Glass, apper, aluminium, cardboard---you name it, our recycle bin is larger than our trash bin," Allen said.

Going green with green power was the next step.  One hundred percent of their electricity now comes from wind power through Maryland-based "Clean Currents."

"He is using renewable energy, making a choice in his electric supply, supporting environmental concerns and supporting his bottom line," said Lynn Gardner, Clean Currents.

The wind power being used at the winery is coming from as far away as Texas and Michigan. 

All lights at Lingaore are compact fluorescent and the wood is recycled.  They even donate potassium tartrate to a local preschool to use as Play-Doh.

They produce 600,000 bottles of wine every year and Allen says going green has been energy efficient and has helped his bottom line.

"I would like to see the 50 wineries in the state be totally wind-powered, be the first industry in the state to be totally wind-powered.  That's my ultimate goal," Allen said.

He says eventually, he would like to have charging stations in the parking lot so people visiting the winery can charge their electric-powered vehicles.

There are 50 wineries in Maryland.  Linganore makes about 50 percent of the wine in the state.

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