Big-selling [yellow tail] on a sustainable wine journey

If you think about [yellow tail] as an industrial wine brand then you might need to think again.

Affordable, popular around the world, and with a sweet, people-pleasing accent, [yellow tail] is a divisive brand.

But [yellow tail] producer - Australia’s largest family-owned winery, Casella Family Brands (CFB) - has just earned Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification for its wineries, vineyards, and grape supply.

Starting with the 2025 vintage release, wines from [yellow tail], Peter Lehmann Wines, Brand’s Laira, Morris of Rutherglen, Baileys of Glenrowan, Casella Family Wines, and Atmata will carry the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification.

Sustainability Manager Joey Sergi said the certification was a significant step in the company’s sustainability journey.

“After investing in installing our large-scale solar farm last year, we’ve focused on achieving Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification across our wineries and grower base," he said.

"Consumers are increasingly choosing brands that prioritise sustainability, and with Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification, they can trust our wines are produced with environmental care.”

Mardi Longbottom, general manager Industry Development and Support at the Australian Wine Research Institute, which manages the technical aspects of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, says: “We are encouraged by the momentum and increasing ambition of our growing membership and are confident we will achieve world-leading recognition.

"By purchasing wines from a certified producer, consumers can feel confident that they’re supporting sustainable-minded growers and winemakers, who are on a journey to shape the Australian wine community for good.”

Jade Rogge, viticulturist and winemaker at Peter Lehmann Wines, said: “We recognise the time and investment in the training and auditing process; however, it is an important future step for all of our brands as we progress our sustainability journey.

"At its core, the program is about adopting innovative, sustainable practices to safeguard the land we depend on and ensuring that it remains healthy, productive, and valuable for future generations.”

Oxford Landing underlines its sustainability credentials

Oxford Landing, a brand known for offering decent drinking at sensible prices, has just unveiled a new range to mark World Sustainability Day later this month.

Regenerate is the name of the new Oxford Landing wine collection, which it says "reflects the winery’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and offers wine lovers the chance to embrace a more sustainable approach to enjoying wine".

As an early adopter of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) practices, the Riverland winery says it integrates sustainable practices at every stage of winemaking.

"From vineyard to bottle, Regenerate highlights the winery’s dedication to preserving ecosystems, improving biodiversity, and minimising environmental impact," says senior winemaker Andy La Nauze.

“We walk the talk of sustainable winemaking. Through the Regenerate collection, we connect with like-minded wine lovers by ensuring that each bottle we produce contributes to a healthier planet.”

Which may be a bit of stretch, but every little bit helps.

At the heart of Oxford Landing is its 1:1 Plantings Project: an initiative that aims to restore native flora and fauna across the Riverland region.

In 2007, the winery purchased 600 hectares of farmland next to its vineyard and has since planted more than 200,000 native trees and shrubs, enriching biodiversity to reduce the need for artificial inputs, and improving soil health for better water efficiency.

This regenerative approach not only protects the environment but enhances the natural character of the wines, creating vibrant, flavourful expressions of the land.

Beyond the health of the vineyard, La Nauze says packaging is the biggest contributor to the carbon footprint of the wine industry.

Regenerate’s eco-friendly packaging underscores Oxford Landing’s approach to sustainability, making use of lightweight glass bottles that reduce carbon emissions by approximately 170 tonnes annually through production and transport efficiencies.

“Glass is our biggest contributor to carbon emissions, which we audit every year. Lighter glass bottles and sustainable materials are tangible steps towards a greener future across our industry.” says La Nauze.

Aside from glass, Regenerate utilises 100% recycled cardboard and FSC-certified paper for its cartons and labels, which I must say are a little underwhelming.

“The Regenerate collection is an easy way for consumers to make better-for-the-planet decisions when buying wine, which in turn helps us to continue innovating and taking small steps to lower emissions in the winery,” La Nauze adds.

“We believe that small, thoughtful decisions - like choosing wines with eco-friendly packaging - can collectively make a significant difference.”

The collection features four wines, each with labels adorned with illustrations of Riverland flora and fauna, reflecting the region’s biodiversity.

The Regenerate wines: a shiraz and cabernet sauvignon from 2023 and a pinot grigio and chardonnay from 2024. All  retail for $15 and are available through Coles Liquor (Liquorland and First Choice) and on the Oxford Landing website at https://www.oxfordlanding.com/

All are solid, well-made wines ideal for midweek enjoyment. The juicy, flavoursome and varietally impressive shiraz was my personal favourite but all do the job.

# World Sustainability Day is celebrated annually on the last Wednesday of October

Sustainability message a wine selling point in Australia

Interest in sustainable wine making and growing continues to grow in Australia.

The Australian Wine Research Institute’s General Manager Industry Development and Support Dr Mardi Longbottom said: “Despite challenging conditions facing the Australian wine industry, we’ve seen a really positive wave of progress within the sustainable winegrowing community, with many producers becoming certified for the first time.

“In addition to members saying, ‘it’s the right thing to do’, momentum has been building due to retailers and hospitality venues globally asking for sustainability credentials or building select ranges or wine lists around sustainability."

Sustainable Winegrowing Australia is the national sustainability program for Australian grape and wine producers and this month released its latest Impact Report, illustrating to retailers and consumers what is involved in making sustainable wine.

The report also highlights the increasing availability of wines that display the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certified trust mark. This mark assures purchasers that the vineyard and winery have met sustainability practices, verified by an independent third-party audit.

As consumers increasingly factor the environment and planet into their purchase decisions, a recent study confirmed that more than half of regular wine drinkers around the globe say they only trust the sustainability of wines if they have an official certification. A visible trust mark therefore provides confidence that the wine’s claims are validated and can help alleviate any concerns about greenwashing.

As of vintage 2023, the equivalent of 96.1 million bottles of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia-certified wine has been produced2, with more significant growth on the horizon from vintage 2024.

The trust mark makes it easier for consumers and retailers to identify sustainably made wine, helping people to buy better (so they say).

Hill Smith Family Estates head of sustainability Louisa Rose said: “Since vintage 2023, 100% of Hill-Smith Family Estates wines are now certified and progressively displaying the trust mark.

"Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification has given us an advantage in both domestic and international markets. We are seeing more and more buyers seeking sustainable credentials when considering wines for new listings and tenders.

“While each market or customer is at a different part of the journey, many are moving rapidly in the direction of sustainable certification being a prerequisite to trade - it is easy to imagine a time when being certified sustainable is the norm for all customers, and that won’t be far away.”

Duxton Vineyards and Rewild Wine’s chief winemaker Tony Allen said: “When we launched Rewild wine a few years ago, we worked closely with a major Australian wine retailer who wanted to build more certified sustainable wine brands into their portfolio.

“With our focus on sustainability across every aspect of the process from grape growing and winemaking, through to packaging, we built the Rewild brand, with an ethos of giving back
more than it takes from mother nature. The Sustainable Winegrowing Australia trust mark makes it easier for wine drinkers to choose a product that prioritises the environment and people.”

Image: Yalumba vineyards in the Eden Valley