Protecting our Australia
January is often a time that we reflect what it means to live, work and play in Australia. This week, we are celebrating some of our producers who are committed to taking care of our country with their approach to viticulture and winemaking. Protecting our country means protecting the land and waters we love, and celebrating the natural beauty and diversity we are lucky to have.
Hear from some of our winery partners on the importance of sustainability and biodynamic practices and what
Protecting our Australia means to them.
LARK HILL
"I've grown up with grapevines - immersed in an industry where vines are cared for, treasured and expected to last indefinitely - indeed one of the greatest aspirations is to have 'old vines' - so I think sustainability comes naturally. It stands to reason - you can't farm any crop, especially grapes long term without thinking sustainably. Wine has the capacity to draw focus tighter than that though - we talk about Terroir in wine - the idea that wine tastes 'of its place' - the summing up of soil, climate...and so we think about our soil, the land, our country, as having a defining thumbprint embedded in the wines we make - sustainability is about preserving that so that our wines continue to have terroir - a sense of place."
- Chris Carpenter, Winemaker
WHISTLER
"Here at Whistler, we are focused on doing the right thing for the long term, no ifs or buts. Since 2013 we have been using organic practices in our vineyard and biodynamics since 2017. Not because it's cool, or on trend, but because we want to leave our patch of dirt in better condition than when we began farming it. We believe that we should blend in with the ecosystem and work with native plants and insects to create quality fruit in a sustainable way. The land benefits, the environment benefits and the consumer benefits."
- Sam Pfeiffer, Director
THE PAWN WINE CO
"Rebecca and I strive to be responsible stewards of our beautiful property, not just because it’s the right thing to do for us and our kids, but because it’s the best way to make awesome wine.
We take a whole farm approach, meaning our goal is sustainability of our workers, soils, cover crops, wildlife, native plants, air, water and pest management."
- Tom Keelan, Winemaker
HENSCHKE
"My philosophy is a holistic one – to ensure our created environment sits in a healthy balance with our natural landscape, through the use of organic and biodynamic practices. We acknowledge and pay respect to the Peramangk and Nadjuri people, the traditional custodians of the land where our vineyards stand, and their connections to Country. As a botanist, environmentalist and viticulturist, I have been able to increase native biodiversity in our vineyards, to create a stronger, more balanced ecosystem than the vine monoculture of the past."
- Prue Henschke, Chief Viticulturist
RIESLINGFREAK
"For us, sustainability in the vineyard encompasses land/soil management, use of water, and biodiversity. With the family vineyard, we do what we can to minimise water use, and maintain nutrients in the soil. We currently run a rotational mulching program which improves organic content and encourages favourable microbial growth within the soil. Mulching also inhibits weed growth under the vines and helps with water retention, therefore reducing the need for herbicide application and supplemental irrigation to the vineyard.
In the winery, we practice sustainability by always evaluating practices to minimise energy and water use. Our wines are fined and sulphur is added, but minimal intervention is the aim throughout the process. By minimising additions, transfers and handling, we reduce power, water and chemical usage for cleaning, while maximising the quality of wines we deliver. By committing to bottling our wines as quickly as possible after fermentation, we also trap the naturally elevated levels of Carbon Dioxide in our wines, taking advantage of the natural preservative effect this imparts and reducing our need for sulphur dioxide additions.
From the 2022 vintage onwards, that all fining agents we use during production are plant-based and vegan certified. These next-generation plant-based fining agents are more sustainable to produce than traditional animal based fining agents that utilise egg and/or milk derived proteins, and also make our Rieslings Vegan Friendly."
- John Hughes, Winemaker
YANGARRA ESTATE VINEYARD
“Through our biodynamic regenerative farming practices and sensitive winemaking philosophies, our respect as custodians of this special piece of country is evident in the wines we produce. Our wines are a reflection of this land, a protected piece of living McLaren Vale history.”
- Peter Fraser, Winemaker
CULLEN
“Cullen Wines in Wilyabrup, Margaret River, are global leaders in sustainability and quality, being certified biodynamic carbon positive and having being certified organic or biodynamic for 19years! Authenticity in sustainability since the beginning making the best wines from the land. Cullen Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted in 1971 and the vineyard with its gravel, granite ancient soils and maritime aspect are perfect for the Cabernet Sauvignon and family blends. Our Diana Madeline Cabernet family and blend is our flagship red wine. Diana Madeline herself turns 100 in 2023. She was a matriarch and a passionate advocate of both the environment and quality wine. They go hand in hand as the best quality fruit and wine comes from our biodynamic practices... best for the planet too!! Di always said “quality not quantity” Add sustainability and it’s good for everyone. Just so good!!"
- Vanya Cullen, Chief Winemaker
