RedHeads Wine, located in Angaston, Barossa Valley, has taken out the top award for Water Management in Wine at the 2019 Drinks Business Green Awards.
2019 marks the tenth year for the world’s largest programme to raise awareness of green issues in the drinks trade by recognising and rewarding those who are leading the way in sustainability and environmental performance. The awards were held in the elegant surroundings of The Club at The Ivy in Covent Garden, UK at a packed-out ceremony.
The RedHeads Village comprises of a new 500-tonne winery – built in 2018 by local production company, Ahrens, an eight-hectare vineyard and Cellar Door which opened to the public last month. Throughout the building process, sustainability was a major focus with water management and power at the forefront throughout the entire build and renovation process.
Being located in a region that experiences little to no ‘meaningful’ rain throughout Summer and Autumn, water management needed to be forward-thinking and effective.
Water collection, reducing waste water and water recycling are key focus areas RedHeads has worked towards, capturing all of the water from its winery roof and dam, collecting 2.7 million litres of extra water that can be reused around the winery and site, while the dam, with a storage capacity of 3.8 megalitres is used to supply water for irrigation.
“We are elated to be recognised for our water management” states Alex Trescowthick, RedHeads Wine Operations Manager, “although it is just one aspect of what we are doing at RedHeads to ensure we make minimal impact on our environment.”
“We installed large solar panels atop the winery roof with accompanying battery and re-wired the winery and cellar door so that everything is run from solar and battery. From what we understand, we are one of the first commercial-size wineries in SA with its own off-grid power generation and storage. We are working towards being 100 percent sustainable and self-sufficient” Alex continues.
“We also use all local trades including builders and painters and the wine production process is local including label design, bottling and labelling. This is to ensure we leave the smallest possible environmental footprint and are not incurring any unnecessary travelling”.
RedHeads wine is the Australian Winemaking arm of UK-Owned wine merchant, Direct Wines (which also trades under the banner Laithwaites Wine). RedHeads aims to find premium parcels of grapes and “liberate” them from the big producers, a few rows at a time, to give them the special treatment they deserve; to form wines of true individuality and character.
RedHeads Cellar Door is located at 258 Angaston Rd, Angaston.
Opening Hours are; Fridays 12 noon ’til 7pm.
Saturdays and Sundays 11am ’til 5pm.
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