New Zealand is devoted to sustainability in the winegrowing business with 96% of all the wine producing land being Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand certified. SWNZ itself is a progressive, engaged and constantly evolving program with a core ethos of achieving more together than alone. It's also a world-leader -
"Susatainable Winegrowing NZ is widely recognised as a world-leading sustainability programme and was one of the first to be established in the international wine industry in 1997."
The wineries and growing regions that are certified have a range of sustainable practices that work in accordance with their place in New Zealand; the land, eco system, climate and much more will go in to sustainability plans at wineries. Below are some examples of wineries and what they're doing to ensure the longevity of their production and New Zealand winegrowing as a whole.
Matawhero on Dry Farming
"It's all about our climate and soils."
By purchasing a bottle of Matawhero, you're saving the earth 55 litres of water thanks to Dry Farming!*
The soils at Matawhero consist of silken clay and fine silt loams and these boast a naturally high moisture holding content therefore it's just the natural rainfall that are watering these vines. Beyond the moisture content, they also have an ability to amass high levels of microbial activity to ensure the plants stay balanced during the season.
So not only are Matawhero looking after precious water, but they're also working with the natural microbial activity to create a unique terroir.
*Based on a bottle produced with normal irrigation.
Brancott Estate on wildlife preservation
Brancott Estate are a founding member of NZ's original sustainable wine-growing initiative, and today work on projects such as the Marlborough Falcon Trust by having a breeding aviary on their vineyard and the Kaituna Vineyard Wetland regeneration by having vineyard teams clear away non-native plants and re-planting with natives.
Mission Estate on reduced emissions
"We have introduced advanced science and technology in the winery allowing us to make some of New Zealand's finest wines in the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly manner."
Mission Estate are also a founding member of SWNZ, and have been reducing their energy consumption in order to improve their environmental sustainability. From having 75% of their forklift fleet as electric to bringing all bottling onto one site for reduced emissions, the sky's the limit for Mission!
Lawson's Dry Hills on solar, recycling & more
"Every decision we make is carefully thought through"
As a fully certified SWNZ member, Lawson's Dry Hills has a lot of projects that proves their dedicated to being sustainable. From the installation of solar power, and capturing and recycling water, to restoring the wetlands at their Waihopai vineyard, they're busy to continuously improve their understanding of the land and how to preserve it!
