Sustainable Viticulture- what does it actually mean?

4 December, 2009

Sus·tain·a·ble :            
1. Capable of being sustained

2. Capable of being continued with minimal long-term effect on the environment

The word sustainable is bantered around as much as CarboNZero, Twitter and Hone Harawira these days..... But what does sustainable really mean for the New Zealand vine industry and does the future growth of our industry rely on being "sustainable"?

With that in mind, we approached a number of respected players in the industry for their opinion and asked the question, what does sustainable viticulture mean to them?

"Applying business practices in a manner that have the least long-term effect on the environment but still financially sustainable"

"Applying viticulture practices to be sustainable ensuring zero damage to the environment"

 "Foremost, being economically sustainable. To ensure a profit"

 "Giving thought to the long term effect and consequences to inputs that impact on the quality of the end product"

 "A happy balance between environmental approach and financial outcomes"

 "Formalising best practices with transparency to meet market expectations"

 "SWNZ certified, CarboNZero certified, organics, biodynamics"

 "Using natural products to produce the best quality grapes"

 "Commercial reality"

 Which made me think, is adopting sustainable practices really about making decisions that are economically viable, socially supportive and environmentally sound to ensure the long term viability of the business? Or as a winery, vineyard or nursery are we being driven by the market to be acting "green" and by doing so does this justify an argument for obtaining premium prices for grape grown sustainably, or not?

New Zealand is not the only country that has implemented sustainable schemes; Agriculture Raisonée in France, Integrated Production of Wine in South Africa and the California Integrated Winemaking Alliance have also developed sustainable practices by which industry players must adhere to. Some of these schemes are independently audited, some self-audited, and each has different criteria by which the accreditation is judged and given.

The SWNZ (Sustainable Winegrowers New Zealand) programme is an industry initiative directed by New Zealand Winegrowers to provide a framework for best viticulture and winemaking practices that protect the environment. Since the inception of the programme (vineyard only) in 1995, membership has grown substantially. In June 2008, 77 wineries and 683 vineyards were members of the SWNZ programme. As of  31^st October 2009, this has increased to 147 wineries and 1419 vineyards*, whilst only two nurseries have become SWNZ accredited - Corbans Viticulture and Stanmore Farm. And by 2012, the aim is for all New Zealand wineries and vineyards to be sustainable. Not a small task by any means, but a milestone that the industry, as a whole, is working towards.

As for the nurseries, how does sustainability and best practice models translate into practice for these businesses?

Since joining the SWNZ programme, our nursery operation has seen a significant improvement in production systems, resulting in an overall improvement in vine quality, larger root and shoot growth in young vines, better yields in the nursery, and improved soil structure and biodiversity. There is a greater emphasis on testing and monitoring to determine applications of fertilisers, likewise regular monitoring and reporting of pests and diseases has resulted in a reduction in use of herbicides, fungicides and pesticides.

The SWNZ programme is a necessary scheme.  It is reassuring that as an industry we are attempting to protect the land and what comes off it for future generations.

Is sustainable viticulture the new "green"?