Sustainability efforts recognised in a prestigious industry award

We’re honoured to have been recognised by the judges of the Port Marlborough – Marlborough Environment  Awards for our ongoing commitment to sustainability, innovation, and environmental stewardship in the wine industry.

Our roots along the Wairau River stretch back to 1870, and since planting our first vines in 1978, we’ve always believed that great wine begins with great care for the land. That philosophy continues to guide us today.

At the heart of our latest sustainability project is a cutting-edge wastewater treatment and reuse system, installed in 2023. Designed to support our 10,000-tonne winery during the busiest harvest weeks, this system treats up to 200m³ of water per day and distributes it safely over a specially designed 4-hectare field. It’s an effective, environmentally sensitive solution to an industry-wide challenge.

We’ve also implemented innovative ways to repurpose materials traditionally considered waste. Fermentation lees and perlite waste—often sent to landfill—are now managed on-site, with liquid filtered and reused, and solids returned to the vineyard to nourish the soil. Similarly, biosolids from the treatment process are blended with grape marc and reintegrated into our land.

Our team’s approach goes beyond compliance—we actively participate in industry groups like the Circular Wine Group and Sustainability Steering Group, always looking to learn and share knowledge. Our ESG policy ensures we consider every step of our process, from the soil to the bottle, with integrity and transparency. The judges praised our willingness to invest in sustainable infrastructure, our use of science to guide decisions, and our collaborative ethos. They recognised our commitment not just to doing things better—but doing what’s right for the environment, our community, and future generations.

We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, and we remain focused on continuing our journey of continuous improvement in sustainable winemaking.