Sustainability







It’s our responsibility to tread lightly on the land to protect our precious home and the natural resources around us.

We are committed to honouring the environment and producing our wines in a sustainable way that maintains biodiversity and retains the environmental heritage of Clare Valley. From the vineyard to our waste management, we are continually adapting our practices and have implemented a holistic approach to reduce our environmental footprint and enhance energy efficiencies around the winery.

Sustainably Certified Winegrowing Australia

In 2021, our winery undertook the process to becomeSustainable Winegrowing Certified Australiain conjunction with theAustralian Wine Research Institute(AWRI) in Adelaide, South Australia. Having undertaken months of data collection and administration, thewinery was officially SWCA certified in December 2022. Since then, our Schobers Vineyard and other vineyard estates have been sustainably certified, with Old Schobers Vineyard to follow this forthcoming year.

Why did we joinSustainable Winegrowing Australia?Wineries, grapegrowers and winemakers commit to the program because we recognise the importance of environmental, social and economic sustainability for our business and the wine industry as a whole. And thanks to a trustworthy, research-backed certification program, our consumers can trust that our sustainable practices help to shape the Australian wine industry and the environment for the better.

Sustainable Winegrowing Australia Certified

Soil Health

With our ultimate goal to grow the best quality fruit possible, soil health is vital to us. We tread lightly in the vineyard and farm the soils with cover crops and use straw and mulch in the midrow. This reduces our need to irrigate as often, with less water and electricity consumed, along with minimising the use of synthetic inputs.

Mulch protects the soil from erosion caused during heavy summer rainfall and keeps the soils cool during very hot summers, minimising the stress that can be caused to a vine from lack of moisture and hot soils. Minimal synthetic fungicides are applied to the foliage and copper and sulphur are used wherever possible.

Energy

We are actively reducing energy emissions through our solar installation that generates 100kw along with a Power Factor Correction unit. LED lighting is used around the barrel hall, warehouse and throughout the winery, along with an Ammonia Refrigeration plant which uses 30% less energy than regular refrigeration. 

Water and Waste

Rainwater is collected from the roofs and combined with mains water, which is then sediment, carbon and UV filtered and reused in the winery. Wastewater is collected in our dam where the water is circulated through special Geo Bags. Using these bags we are able to collect all solids within the water, which are then dried out and used for fertiliser. The wastewater is treated and reused in the gardens of the winery.

Pressed grape skins and wine solids from vintage are extracted of any alcohol, tannins and acids. These acids are then reused in the production of wine, and the treated stalks are used as compost in the vineyard. To enhance our biodiversity, native Clare Valley plants are propagated and used in the landscaping around the grounds.

Kirrihill acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live, the Ngadjuri people, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to the Ngadjuri Elders past, present and emerging.