Sustainability

As a primary producer

Ballandean Estate Wines recognises that the quality of our end product fundamentally depends on the quality of the land which we cultivate.

Our efforts to preserve the viability of our piece of earth include:

Soil nutrition

• Grape skins are recycled and used as mulch for soil.
• Green crops are planted between rows every two to three years.
• Every year mulch made from a combination of saw dust, woodchip, mushroom compost, bull manure, chicken manure and straw is added to the soil. This is used for soil nutrition and management by adding nutrients, retaining moisture and burying carbon into the soil.
• Annual soil analysis is performed and used as a basis for returning to the soil missing natural elements.

Water

• Drip irrigation across all vineyards eliminates water wastage.

Chemicals

• Minimal chemicals are introduced to the vineyard via insecticides and pesticides.

As a manufacturer

Ballandean Estate is endeavouring to manufacture our wines in a socially responsible manner. Reducing emissions and lowering the risks and expense associated with rising costs of electricity will aid in our ability to invest in future socially responsible differentiators.

Decreasing carbon emissions

• In 2014 Ballandean Estate committed to decreasing carbon emissions from fossil fuel powered electricity usage by 31.5%. This has occured through the installation of a 30kW solar system and also the replacement of all lighting across the facility with energy efficient bulbs.
• Lightweight glass bottles are used for the majority of wines sold.
• We use ‘carbon/green miles’ in our promotional material.
• We shut down refrigeration units when not required.

Active research into new technology

A flotation pump is used during vintage saving countless hours and energy in juice settling. The in-line pump uses nitrogen to supersaturate the juice forcing the pulp to rise to the surface as opposed to time consuming and energy hungry cold settling.

Environmental factors

Water tanks are attached to all buildings to capture rain water used within the facility.