Adelaide Hills Wine Region EMS
(Environmental Management System)
The Adelaide Hills Wine Region is proud to have developed an EMS for the use of all its viticultural and winemaking members.
The Adelaide Hills Wine Region Inc. (AHWRI) has a strong policy to promote environmentally sustainable practices in the region and actively encourages all its members to participate in its EMS project
What is an EMS?
“An Environment Management System (EMS) is a tool for managing the impacts of an organisation's activities on the environment. It provides a structured approach to planning and implementing environment protection measures.”
DEWHA, 2008
An EMS is a commitment to an ongoing cycle of environmental self improvement.
It follows a cycle, repeated each year.
Plan 
Do Check Act + Communicate
Benefits of an EMS
An EMS can assist a company in the following ways:
- build awareness of environmental issues in the wine industry;
- build a better understanding of the environmental impacts of our viticulture and winemaking practices;
- maximize the efficient use of resources, eg water and energy;
- demonstrate that we are environmentally responsible corporate citizens; and
- to protect and enhance the eco-systems we co-exist with.
Why is an EMS useful in the Wine Industry?
Increasingly, international markets are seeking an indication of environmental performance and the carbon emissions associated with the production of wine. At home, as landholders, we all have a responsibility to ensure long term ecologically sustainable production, particularly in changing climatic conditions. Society more than ever wants to know business is involved in good environmental stewardship.
Why an EMS for the Adelaide Hills Wine Region Inc?
The Adelaide Hills is in the catchment for the Adelaide metropolitan water supply and is an important environmentally sensitive area with respect to its biodiversity and water quality.
Our vision is to be early adopters and leaders in the implementation of ecologically sustainable practices across the region, with the aim of;
- establishing world’s best practice in environmental management,
- reducing our carbon footprint, and
- ensuring the needs and expectations of the wider community and stakeholders are met.
The AHWRI is committed to the continual improvement of the region’s environmental performance. Accelerating the adoption of ecologically sustainable practices by its members is critical to the region’s future success and the region therefore has an established Environmental Policy.
To achieve this, the AHWRI is committed to developing and implementing environmental management systems for all of its members. The AHWRI actively encourages its members to embrace and participate in the AHWRI EMS process to measure and evaluate their environmental performance through the use of these eco-mapping tools.
The AHWRI actively supports the EMS process by dedicating human and financial resources to the EMS process and providing management tools for members to meet their goals.
Environmental Policy of the Adelaide Hills Wine Region Inc:
The purpose of the Adelaide Hills Wine Region environmental policy is to define a vision for the future of the viticultural and winemaking businesses in our region.
The policy is the responsibility of Adelaide Hills Wine Region executive committee.
Within the Constitution of the Adelaide Hills Wine Region, there are clear Objectives formally established. Objective 2 includes the following:“To ensure the sustainability of grape growing and winemaking in the Adelaide Hills Region by actively supporting:-
- The establishment and improvement of Codes of Practice for all vineyard and winery activities.
- Environmental awareness together with active involvement with all stakeholders affecting our businesses.”
Accordingly, the Adelaide Hills Wine Region executive committee is committed to examining key environmental issues in the region such as soil and water management and to promoting best management practices amongst its members.
The Adelaide Hills Wine Region executive committee will endeavour to achieve this by:
- Investing resources, where necessary, to examine specific environmental issues in the region and to encourage its members to fulfil their environmental goals.
- Supporting regular seminars for its members to assist them in making sound environmental decisions in their businesses.
- Informing all members, business associates and contractors of the Association’s environmental expectations. The Adelaide Hills Wine
Region executive committee aims to encourage as many of its members as possible to participate in the Adelaide Hills Wine Region Environmental Management System (EMS) project.
This is an EMS that has proudly been supported by the executive committee since its inception in 2007.Signed:
Dated:
What is the AHWRI’s Pilot EMS Program?
For many small growers and cellar door facilities, getting started and having a simple approach is the key. To achieve this, AHWRI has adopted an easy-to-follow methodology which was implemented by the Pilot EMS project team comprising twelve AHWRI members. These members have worked together in cluster groups using the EcoMapping™ EMS tool (a very successful model used in Europe), with each participant implementing an EMS for their vineyard and/or cellar door.
Through a coaching program supported by AHWRI, the participants have shared their knowledge and experience with each other in developing and implementing a practical and simple EMS for each of their vineyard or cellar door facilities.
Cropwatch and EMS:
Cropwatch is an Adelaide Hills specific weather related service that is provided free of charge to all Adelaide Hills Wine Region members. Via this regular service, our members are able to anticipate specific weather conditions that could trigger vineyard infestations and diseases. This service is also an early warning system for confirmed outbreaks of infestations or disease in the region and in addition carries regular information regarding seasonal specific activities and vineyard risks. It is an excellent tool for all viticulturalists who are keen to manage their vineyard diseases and infestations in the most sustainable way possible.
The following AHWR members have completed the pilot EMS project:
Hugo & Ben Blows – Springhill Vineyard - 0438 792 120 - springhill@adam.com.au
Jan Siemelink-Allen – Barristers Block - 0427 076 237 - jansiema@barristersblock.com.au www.barristersblock.com.au/
Sue Delaney – Sinclairs Gully Wines - 0409 691 995 - wine@sinclairsgully.com - www.sinclairsgully.com/
Louise Warner – Mt Bera Vineyards - 0408 096 446 - louise@mtberavineyards.com.au
Larry Jacobs – Hahndorf Hill Winery – 0412 556 039 – admin@hahndorfhillwinery.com.au www.hahndorfhillwinery.com.au
Stefan Chandler – Nepenthe Wines – 08 8389 8039 - SChandler@nepenthe.com.au - www.nepenthe.com.au/
David Mason – Morialta Wines - morialtawines@activ8.net.au
For further information on the AHWRI EMS, please call the AHWRI Executive Officer on 1300 305 577.
Some quotes from AHWR members who have completed the pilot EMS project:
“I’ve found that by doing the EMS, we now have a comprehensive strategy and management system to deal with all our environmental issues.”
Larry Jacobs, Hahndorf Hill Winery
"The ecomapping process helped define and document practices and problems and schedule a work program with review."
Louise Warner, Mt Bera Vineyards
”I found the eco-mapping process a very useful hands-on tool. Working in a group helped sort out practical issues along the way. The EMS process crystallised the sustainability practices already in place at Sinclair’s Gully and set practical goals to achieve over the next 12 months.”
Sue Delaney, Sinclair’s Gully Wines
“Morialta Vineyard considers the eco-mapping EMS programme a vital tool to remain viable (best practice) and account for your carbon footprint. Accreditation may well become mandatory soon.”
David Mason, Morialta Vineyard
"Nepenthe Wines involvement in the EMS project has provided a useful framework to document, demonstrate and review our environmental performance."
Stefan Chandler, Nepenthe
"Springhill and Springdale Vineyards has used the EMS program and practical sessions to guide us towards a more sustainable future, which allows for greater on farm efficiency. The documentation and review process ensures that we stay firmly on the road leading to beneficial environmental management".
Hugo and Ben Blows, The Pawn Wine Company
