Winners of the SAWIA Environmental Excellence Awards announced

The South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA) announced the 2023 Environmental Excellence Awards winners at an awards ceremony held last week. 

Awarding wine businesses that significantly contributed to environmental management in South Australia, Orbis Wines, Pernod Ricard Winemakers and Eden Hall Wines all came away winners. 

Inca Lee, Chief Executive of SAWIA, said awards like these are examples of the wine industry's commitment to environmental stewardship.

"All entrants have undertaken significant efforts towards environmental sustainability, with impacts reaching far beyond the company gate. This includes advances in water conservation, renewable energy, emissions reduction, wine packaging and biodiversity conservation," she said. 

In the Small-Medium Winery Category, Orbis Wines was recognised for their work on sustainability and circularity across the entire value chain, including a completely off-grid winery and local deliveries of wine to customers made in an electric vehicle powered by the winery solar panels. 

In the Large Winery Category, Pernod Ricard Winemakers was recognised for their sustainability framework and roadmap, which includes sustainable packaging programs to deliver their targets for 100 per cent recyclable, compostable or reusable packaging by 2025. 

In the Viticulture Category, Eden Hall Wines was recognised for enhancing vineyard biodiversity and creating resilient landscapes, including remnant native vegetation preservation and expansion, planting of native grasses and plants, composting and mulching.

"By sharing success stories in environmental management and recognising outstanding achievements, we can collectively inspire and drive progress," concluded Lee. 

The 2023 Environmental Excellence Awards were sponsored by Green Industries SA, Tarac and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions.

Featured image (L to R): Graeme Thredgold, Daniel Falkenberg, and David Hall (Eden Hall Wines); Dorota Clausen and Gwen Callies (Pernod Ricard Winemakers); Kendall Grey, Brad Moyes, Matt Haaren and Lauren Langfield (Orbis Wines).

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