Australia launches green wine standard

Australian winemakers can from this week formally highlight their green credential nationally and internationally following the launch of a new certification scheme.

The voluntary EntWine environmental assurance scheme is being run by the Winemaker's Federation of Australia (WFA) and requires companies to report annually on their carbon footprint and submit to having their environmental practices independently audited.

WFA chief executive, Stephen Strachan, hailed the scheme as "a really important initiative that showcases the wine industry's determination to meet modern expectations about environmental stewardship".

Under the scheme, those who meet or exceed the standards will be able to carry the EntWine logo and will be listed on a publicly accessible online register.

The WFA added that by 2014 it aims to have all Australian export wine carrying the label.

The scheme is based on the national Freshcare Environmental Code and includes requirements for high standards in efficiency of water and energy use.

Producers must also use a carbon calculator provided by the WFA and publish results for use in national reporting.

In addition, the standard sets out minimum requirements governing chemical usage, fertiliser and soil additives, land and soil management, maintaining biodiversity and waste disposal.

Strachan said the standard had been developed in consultation with industry and that pilot studies were supported by Foster's Group, Orlando Wines, McWilliam's Wines, De Bortoli, Sitella Wines, Voyager Estate, Winemakers of Rutherglen and the Langhorne Creek Grapegrowers’ Association.

"Feedback from industry has been positive," he added. "There is a growing realisation that this is something we have to do if Australian wines are to keep meeting consumer and retailer demands."

The launch follows a series of stories warning that the Australian wine industry could be all but destroyed as a result climate change. The industry has been badly affected by the five year long drought that has impacted large areas of the country's south east and a number of government reports have warned that in the longer term water supplies to many wine producing areas could come under threat.