Tim's Ravings

Sustainability is a holistic approach that encompasses environmental, social and economic responsibilities. It means meeting our collective needs without compromising the needs of those in the future. It's not a one-off project, but a philosophy, and a driver of wine quality and business success (and it is definitely not the burying of cow horns stuffed with literal and metaphorical bull shit by the light of the moon).

As grape growers and winemakers we are acutely aware of the impact of the changing climate and the direct threat it poses to our livelihood. We keep records of temperatures, rainfall and harvest dates; we know the difference it makes to ripen cabernet in the cool of autum vs the heat of summer. The temperature difference between Burgundy and Bordeaux is 'just' 1.5 degrees - all the difference in the world in terms of wine style and the vines that thrive there. Furthermore, increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather significantly increases the risk of damage or loss of our crop.

We want to do our bit. To tread lightly - minimising our consumption of the earth's resources especially water and fuel. As custodians of the land, we want to regenerate the ancient, lean soils that have been degraded by drought and monoculture.

As business owners, community members and parents, we want Huntington Estate, the team and our family to thrive, and to do all we can to make our bit of the world better. We believe individual action can make a difference - and it must in the absence of strong government leadership in this area.

KEY ACTIONS TO DATE

RENEWABLE ENERGY: Solar pumping for irrigation and Solar power for the winery.

IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY: Moisture probes to ensure water is only used when and where it is needed, preventing wastage.

SOIL HEALTH: Annual testing of vineyard zones (groups of blocks) to monitor biological, chemical and physical health and develop tailored action plans. Earthworms are counted, fungi to bacteria ratios, water infiltration, diversity of plant species, root depth, nodulation etc

MID-ROW DIVERSE SPECIES COVER CROPS: Planting to improve water infiltration, biomass and carbon capture, soil chemstry, biology and physics, and out-compete weeds reducing chemical usage.

ORGANIC ONLY FERTILISERS: We compost our grape marc, add manure and wood chip and use it on the vines, we mulch with hay, fertigate (fertiliser via the irrigation network) and add nutrition as required.

MINIMISE CONSUMPTION; RECYCYLE AND RE-USE: E.g. minimal packaging (within quality parameters)

MORE EFFICIENT, CLEANER PLANT & EQUIPMENT: New refrigeration unit in the winery, new tractors and 4 wheel-drive vehicles. Lower emissions and consumption,

MEMBERS SUSTAINABLE WINEGROWING AUSTRALIA: We audited all of our vineyard practices, benchmarked vs peers and the program and are currently developing an action plan. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

IN THE VINEYARD...

CERTIFICATION: Our goal is for the vineyard to reach the gold standard and be fully certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia by 2023.

REGENERATION: Working with the local Landcare team to plant native trees, shrubs and grasses and remove invasive species from our well established biodiversity zones.

SOIL HEALTH: Implement tailored plans per vineyard zone to further boost soil health.

BIOSECURITY: Tighten up our processes

VINEYARD RENEWAL: Fully establish and train recent plantings to set them up for a long and productive life. Continue our program of pulling out > 50 yr old underperforming vines and replacing them with new, healthy and drought / heat tolerant varieties.

IN THE WINERY...

MEMBERS SUSTAINABLE WINEGROWING: This financial year, we will conduct the full audit and benchmark with other leading wineries. We will develop a plan to work towards certification based on the findings of the audit.

We are especially interested in investing in batteries for the solar system, and in exploring water consumption and waste water management.