Willamette Valley Vineyards Inc. began switching its tractors to biodiesel a couple years ago.

Then, the company known more for its pinots than its petrolbegan pumping the eco-friendly fuel into its delivery vans.

Now, it’s offering 50 gallons of free biodiesel monthly to its employees with the intent, company founder and President Jim Bernau says, of “walking softly” on an environment too harshly trampled upon.

In response, at least a half-dozen of the company’s 100 employees have purchased diesel vehicles and motored to the tank at the bottom of a hillside of neatly staked grapevines for freebie fill-ups.

“It pretty much covers all my travels,” says Shelby Zadow, marketing coordinator of the company based in Turner, south of Salem. “It’s absolutely great. . . . And it’s nice to know while I’m driving, I’m not adding more to pollution.”

In the past, companies have demonstrated their green values by offering employees subsidized bus and light-rail passes or free bike parking. But a second wave of environmentally friendly corporate actions appears to be gaining momentum, energized by more available and affordable alternative fuels and by growing concerns about global warming.

More great news on companies taking a stand to do something about our oil problems and the environment. When I need wine next i’ll try and keep them in mind.