April 27th – Wine Victoria has announced a series of sustainability workshops being delivered to the Victorian wine industry as part of its growing Victorian wine into the future program with the Department of Agriculture.
Working with the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) the workshops cover two key areas, Sustainable Winegrowers Australia (SWA) certification and towards carbon neutrality in the vineyard and winery.
The first series of workshops are to be held in May and June across five locations and are aimed at supporting Victorian vineyards and wineries seeking sustainability certification (SWA).
Taking an in-depth look at the Australian Wine Industry Standards of Sustainable Practice for vineyards and wineries, participants will be provided with a set of customisable templates and resources to support their preparation for audit and maintenance of the program.
These workshops are valued at $460 per participant and are being offered to up to 100 Victorian grape and wine producers at no cost.
The second series of workshops, also held in May / June 2023 across five locations, are focussed on working towards carbon neutrality in the vineyard and winery.
The full-day workshops will look at climate change projections for each region and the impacts for grape and wine production. They will then discuss the challenges and opportunities for vineyards and wineries to become carbon neutral.
The cost for this workshop is $35 per person, heavily subsidised by the program.
According to SWA’s 2022 Impact report, 78% of Australians want action and consider a brand’s social and environmental actions when making a purchase. Additionally, 54% of global wine drinkers only trust sustainable wine that is officially certified.
Wine Victoria chair Stephanie Duboudin understands the importance of striving towards a sustainable future, and that it comes down to the individuals.
“There has been strong growth in the uptake of the Sustainable Winegrowers Australia certification. Wine Victoria is strongly committed to providing the opportunities for our winemakers and growers to gain this important certification to ensure that our members have the skills and accreditations required for a future focused industry” Stephanie said.
“We had an excellent list of participations in our first workshops held in March covering the introduction to SWA certification and carbon calculators. The SWA certification helps businesses formalise their approach and put continuous improvement at the heart of their sustainability journey”.
For a full list of workshops and to register, click here
For more information on Wine Victoria’s Growing Wine into the future Programs, click here or contact Stephanie Duboudin at stephanie.duboudin@winevictoria.org.au or 0437 663 878.
ABOUT WINE VICTORIA
Wine Victoria is the peak body representing the Victorian wine industry. They advocate on behalf of the wine industry ensuring their members remain a high priority with the Victorian Government and other national governing bodies.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Growing Victorian Wine into the Future Program is funded by a $455,500 grant awarded to Wine Victoria by the Victorian Government through the New Markets for Food and Regional Produce stream of the Agriculture Workforce Plan.
The program will help empower Victorian grape growers and winemakers to tackle climate change, work more sustainability for a healthier environment and increased profitability, protect and improve vineyard assets and connect with each other to build skills and knowledge that will lead to a secure and successful future for Victorian wine.
The SWA is administered by the Australian Wine Research Institute and is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. SWA is Australia’s national program for grapegrowers and winemakers to demonstrate and continuously improve their sustainability in the vineyard and winery through the environmental, social, and economic aspects of their businesses.
Victorian wine regions Sustainability Certification Workshops
- Mildura Sustainability Certification Workshop
Tuesday, 2 May 2023. 9:00am-4:30pm. Mildura Golf Club Resort. 287 Twelfth St, Mildura VIC 3500 - Mornington Peninsula Sustainability Certification Workshop
Tuesday, 30 May. 9:00am-4:30pm. Main Ridge Estate. 80 William Road, Red Hill, Victoria, 3937 - Pyrenees Sustainability Certification Workshop
Thursday, 1 June 2023. 9:00am-4:30pm. Blue Pyrenees Estate. Vinoca Road, Avoca Victoria 3467 - Macedon Ranges Sustainability Certification Workshop
Tuesday, 13 June 2023. 9:00am-4:30pm. Cleveland Winery. 55 Shannons Road, Lancefield Victoria 3435 - King Valley Sustainability Certification Workshop
Thursday, 15 June 2023. 9:00am-4:30pm. Wangaratta Gateway Hotel. 29-37 Ryley Street Wangaratta Victoria 3677
Victorian wine regions Sustainability Certification Workshops
- Goulburn Valley
Wednesday, 24 May. 8:30am – 4:30pm. Tahbilk Estate. 254 O’Neils Road, Tahbilk VIC 3607 - Rutherglen
Thursday, 25 May. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Lake Moodemere Estate. 12 Moodemere Road, Rutherglen VIC 3685 - Mildura
Tuesday, 30 May. 8:30am – 4:30pm. Chalmers Merbein Vineyard. 118 Third Street, Merbein VIC 3505 - Geelong
Thursday, 1 June. 8:30am – 4:30pm. Leura Park Estate. 1400 Portarlington Road, Curlewis VIC 3222 - Yarra Valley
Friday, 2 June. 8:30am – 4:30pm. Domaine Chandon. 727 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream VIC 3770
