Email: Tom Griffin
Brightwood Vineyard & Farm
 | Brightwood Vineyard & Farm |
Brightwood Vineyard and Farm is a 100-acre working, family farm in Madison County at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The goal of the farm is to be sustainable both economically and ecologically and it features organic berries, grapes and vegetables as well as meat goats and egg laying hens. The private cottage is newly expanded and renovated with a full kitchen. Brightwood Vineyard and Farm is committed to environmental excellence and works to minimize environmental impacts whenever possible.
Green Lodging Activities:
When visiting Brightwood Vineyard and Farm, you can expect the following practices:
- Optional linen service in rooms
- Recycling opportunities for guests
- Water conservation
- Energy conservation
- Green events/conference package
Optional Linen Service
- Train house cleaners on process of optional linen service
- Purchase water efficient washers, line dry whenever possible
- Use non-phosphate, non-toxic, biodegradable laundry detergents
- Minimize the use of bleach and chlorinated chemicals
Recycling
- Recycle glass, aluminum cans, steel cans, office paper, toner cartridges, newspaper, cardboard, packing supplies, fluorescent lamps, batteries, and electronics equipment
- Compost excess food wastes
Waste Reduction
- Fill bulk soap dispensers instead of using individual soaps
- Instruct housekeeping to save and reuse unopened items
- No Styrofoam used and use cloth napkins
- Use dishware and glassware to eliminate use of disposables
- Provide condiments, cream and sugar in bulk
- Implement effective food inventory system to minimize waste
- Grown own produce and other foods, organically and sustainable
- Purchase recycled-content paper-towels and toilet paper
- Encourage suppliers to minimize packaging and other waste materials
- Purchase from vendors and service providers with a commitment to the environment
- Purchase from local source as much as possible
- Use electronic correspondence and forms
- Use “green” cleaners that are dispensed in bulk
- Purchase durable equipment and furniture and “low-VOC” carpets and fabrics
- Use reused building materials or those from sustainable sources
- Use latex paint and recycle/dispose of thinners and solvents properly
- Use preventative maintenance on all appliances, HVAC systems, plumbing and vehicles
- Effective inventory system and labeling of last-in/first-out
- Minimize use of pesticides and herbicides and use integrated pest management
Water Conservation
- High efficiency dishwashers
- Use dry clean up methods over water-based methods
- Low flow toilets and restrictors on faucets and showerheads
- Effective landscape management plan
- Effective storm water management plan
- Minimization of impervious areas
- Vegetative buffers along streams and river
Energy Conservation
- Tracking overall energy bills and set a numeric goal to reduce
- Have High Efficiency Heating & Air Conditioning with individual thermostats
- Use natural lighting and ceiling fans
- Purchase EnergyStar computers and appliances
- Thermal rated windows and insulation
Eco-Friendly Cottage Features
- A well insulated, energy efficient building shell
- Formaldehyde free insulation
- Modern wood frame double glazed windows with screens
- Extensive use of metal clad wiring for low electrical field emissions
- Heat pump with dehumidifier mode
- Reused existing structure, locally sourced wood products and reclaimed hardwood floors
- Instantaneous water heater
- Minimal site disturbance with no erosion runoff into rivers or streams