Winery turning grape waste into 'vineyard gold' wins top farming award

Brokenwood winery has earned the Royal Agricultural Society's prestigious President's Medal for its innovative sustainability practices, particularly its success in transforming grape waste into valuable compost for its vines. This recognition arrives at a challenging time for the Australian wine industry, which faces declining demand and a surplus of unharvested grapes.

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It's been a tough five-10 years in the wine industry. I think it's a bit undervalued, how much it helps morale in a business.

Chief winemaker Stuart Hordern expressed immense pride in the achievement, noting its positive impact on staff morale amidst industry struggles. He emphasized that the winery's sustainability efforts, including improving soil health, minimizing chemical use, and adopting water-efficient irrigation, have been a decade-long commitment. These practices involve using testing and moisture probes, cover cropping, and protecting vines with sunscreen.

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Number one, hang in there. Rome wasn't built in a day. It's a slow burn, all of the changes we've made over the last decade. It wasn't done in one year. It's about having the faith and perseverance to keep going.

The winery also contributes to emission reduction by using lightweight glass for 70% of its bottles. Judges commended Brokenwood for integrating sustainability into its core operations rather than treating it as a mere marketing tactic. The winery, which began as a small operation in the 1970s, now produces 90,000 cases annually and is a long-term member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia.

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Sustainability is more than a buzzword at Brokenwood. To them it is about looking