Set in the scenic Riverland town of Glossop, Berri Estates Winery – the largest grape processor in the region – is making way for innovative and sustainable operations that will benefit the local community and environment.
Part of the multinational wine company Accolade Wines, Berri Estates Winery crushes about 200,000 tonnes of grapes annually – close to a third of South Australia’s crush.
With more than 200 permanent onsite staff, the estate includes a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that produces more than 90 million litres of wine a year, including 55 million litres of cask wine.
EPA Senior Environment Officer Justin Richardson says this is a large-scale production and the company’s emphasis on innovative environmental management practices is extremely positive.
"In late 2017, Berri Estates Winery began a composting trial that blended 1,500 tonnes of winery waste with 500 tonnes of mature compost supplied by a composting facility. The blended compost is now being offered to local growers."
Berri Estates Winery Operations Manager Travis Haeft said, "The trial has been a great success and presents an excellent opportunity for the winery and the region by converting a winery by-product into a valuable agricultural asset."
"From an environmental perspective, the composted material will deliver greater efficiencies to local agriculture businesses. The use of this material will assist in water savings and improving the nutrient quality of the soil in addition to assisting with the suppression of weeds, pests and diseases."
The winery is also currently investigating upgrading its wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The proposal will see about 400 megalitres of wastewater treated to a standard capable of being used for agricultural irrigation.
The WWTP project will be a significant investment for the business, creating local employment and supporting the site’s sustainability into the future.
"Berri Estates Winery is proud to be a part of the Riverland community, and we seek to continually improve our environmental and sustainability performance to ensure prosperity for our region and future generations," Mr Haeft said.
For more case studies, read theγ2018 Good for Environment, Good for Business report.
