Barossa’s rapidly rising sustainability credentials

Barossa’s 2021/22 Sustainable Winegrowing Australia report reveals a 40% increase in the number of Barossa vineyards and wineries (143) participating in the program, and over 275% increase in certified membership.

Vineyard area under the program’s membership is now 8,717 Ha of Barossa’s total 14,212 Ha planted area – an increase of 47% in 12 months. Whilst Barossa vineyards over 100 Ha comprise 67% of members’ vineyard area, vineyards less than 50 Ha comprise 69% of member numbers.

Barossa Australia growers and wineries have been participating in the program and its predecessor, Sustainable Australia Winegrowing, since 2016 – with Thorn Clarke and Eden Hall’s vineyards the first to be third-party certified.

Sustainable Winegrowing Australia takes a holistic approach to managing, supporting and promoting the sustainability of our vineyards and wineries. It also provides authority and confidence to retailers globally, who receive reliable, certified produce to address growing global consumer demand.

Included in the sustainability achievements of the 143 Barossa members of the program:

  • 1270 Ha has been set aside for biodiversity areas by vineyard members.
  • 85% of vineyards and 100% of wineries have a strong understanding of key biosecurity risks and take action to manage them.
  • 90% manage adverse weather events with strategic irrigation application.
  • 70% of vineyards participate in on-site or off-site biodiversity projects.
  • 100% of wineries separate waste into types, and store to minimise risk of contamination.

Barossa Australia also recently instigated its Nett Zero Carbon Glass Bottle Project, which aims to significantly reduce the region’s carbon footprint by replacing natural gas with biogas to fuel glass manufacturing plants.

Sustainable Winegrowing Australia is administered by the Australian Wine Research Institute, and governed, endorsed and supported by Australian Grape & Wine and Wine Australia. Its modelled on global best practices and aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with progress towards these monitored annually.

The full Barossa 2021/22 sustainability annual report is available here . For more information on this project, contact Nicki Robins on 08 8563 0650 or nicki@barossa.com