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
We are proudly accredited by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia and a Member of International Wineries for Climate Action, which holds us accountable and supports our commitment to carbon neutrality across the organisation by 2050. Since 2005, Yalumba has held the certification of ISO 14001 – Environmental management — an internationally accepted standard that outlines effective environmental management systems in place.
We have been developing our sustainable viticulture program since the mid 1990s and in 1999 we joined Australia’s Greenhouse Challenge programme working with the Australian Greenhouse Office to reduce emissions at every stage of the winemaking process from the vineyards to the consumer’s table.
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
We commit to Australia’s National Packaging Targets of 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025 and have developed a comprehensive program to reduce consumption and recycling waste across all of our sites.
We are also in the process of a water preservation trial that imitates the anticipated harsh conditions of climate change.
Sustainability and minimal intervention winemaking
Minimal Intervention Winemaking is a natural fit for sustainable practices. We intend to make as little impact on the natural environment as possible during our winemaking process, from the vineyard to the cellar.