Australian Vintage has introduced a raft of initiatives as part of a significant commitment to our green investment programme.

As one of the biggest producers in Australia, we operate at a scale that can deliver significant environmental benefits as a result of our green policies.

We’re fully committed to investments that combine strong green principles and operational efficiencies to create a more sustainable future.

Solar and Renewable Energy

In November 2018, we became the first Australian company to sign a landmark deal to ensure that 90% of energy consumption at our largest winery – the third biggest in Australia – is met by renewable sources. The ground-breaking Hybrid Renewable Corporate PPA guarantees that 60% of the energy needed to power our Buronga Hill winery in New South Wales is sourced from off-site wind and solar plants.
A further 30% of its energy requirements comes from Buronga Hill’s own solar panel plant, which is one of the largest privately-owned solar parks at an Australian winery.
The move is a major step in our pledge to be increasingly reliant on renewable energy sources and part of a raft of green investments, including installing solar at two further sites in Australia.

Solar and Renewable Energy

At our Merbein packaging facility in Victoria, we have completed a solar installation of 0.3MW, which has cut electricity usage by 10%.

We have also installed 0.1MW of solar at our Hunter Valley winery and McGuigan Cellar Door, cutting electricity usage by approximately 40%.

Supply Chain

Our sustainability initiatives extend into the supply chain. The company’s freight partner, GTS, has invested $15 million introducing a new fleet of state-of-the-art German-made delivery trucks designed to cut pollution with cleaner engines and greater fuel efficiencies. This means our wines are some of the most environmentally-friendly on the road.

Water Management

The company has stepped-up its waste-water management system. The nutrient-rich water from our winery operations is now being used to irrigate pastures of a 50-acre woodlot along with a newly established 50-acre vineyard at the winery.

Refrigeration Upgrades

Refrigeration accounts for approximately 50% of the total power used at a winery and having made the decision to upgrade our equipment to increase efficiency, this has reduced electricity usage by 9% while also cutting CO2 emissions in the past year.

Australian Packaging Covenant

As a signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant, Australian Vintage has committed to the sustainable design, use and recovery of the packaging we use for our products. The Action Plan developed by the South Australian Wine Industry Association is being actively adhered to by Australian Vintage to ensure we aim for a cleaner, greener future for the planet.