A great wine is the result of care, attention and letting nature run its course
Sustainability is integral to our success. By definition, sustainability never ends.
Generation after generation, we continually strive to reduce our impact on the environment, and make great wine with minimal intervention. We are committed to sustainable practices with the belief that healthier vines create better wines.
Recognition
Climate Protection Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency in 2007 (A first for the world wine industry)International Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice in 2007 and 2011.
In October 2005 Yalumba was awarded the Environmental and Energy Management Award at the 10th annual Rabobank agribusiness awards for excellence.
International Award of Excellence for Sustainable Wine growing in 2013.
Environmental Excellence Award from the South Australian Wine Industry Association in 2019. This award was for our work on projects including the establishment of innovative mid-row saltbush plantings, mulching vineyards to achieve a 25% reduction in water use, and native Mallee scrub.
“Yalumba has been ploughing the green furrow for longer than most Australian wine companies. In the late 1990s, long before Al Gore started working on his slide show and before we began bucketing our shower water onto our tomatoes, the historic Barossa winery embarked on a comprehensive, company-wide environmental program.”
Max Allen, 2008
We live and breathe sustainable practices
Climate change is a significant challenge for the wine industry. Our team is continuously looking at ways to increase our renewable energy resource, and reduce our water consumption and carbon emissions. In 2016, we installed the largest solar system in an Australian winery at the time, which today generates approximately 24% of our on-site energy requirement.
We are also proud of our native vegetation preservation program, which preserves, establishes or reestablishes native vegetation area equal to our land under vine.
We consistently work with industry organisations on system trials that improve sustainability in the vineyards and reduce wastage through the use of technology, particularly related to irrigation strategies and water preservation.
Quite simply, if we’re to focus on excellence in winemaking, it absolutely requires excellence in environmental management – the two are inseparable.
Working towards a sustainable future
Our Yalumba Winery and vineyards are proudly 100% accredited by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, and we are a Silver Member of International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA).
Aligned to the targets of IWCA, in April we became partners of the United Nations Race to Zero program, helping us to connect, share with and learn from likeminded organisations around the globe. Our Emissions Reduction Roadmap specifies the timing and impact of numerous projects to achieve a 50% reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050 compared to our baseline year. As of 2023, our emissions reduction is 22%.
Sustainability and minimal intervention winemaking
Our Sustainability Charter
At Yalumba, we wish to thoughtfully share our love of wine with the world, in such a way that we enrich our terroir, protect the viability of our planet, support a prosperous community, foster a thriving workforce, and act ethically and responsibly.
For more than 170 years, we have prioritised practices that will sustain our planet, our people and our business for our future generations.Every decision is guided by the impact we’re here to make through our generational sustainability — a unique intersection of people, planet and profit.
We care about the wellbeing of our people and community, the environmental footprint we leave, and we pursue excellence so we may all share in success.
