Casella Family Brands has today announced that it has achieved Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification across its winemaking sites, vineyards and grape supply.
The family-owned winery contributed 12 per cent of Australia’s annual wine grape crush in 2024 and produces 16 per cent of Australia’s total wine exports, meaning more than one in 10 grapes harvested in Australia will now be grown sustainably.
The certification includes Casella-owned wineries in Riverina, Barossa, Rutherglen and Glenrowan, and according to Sustainability Manager Joey Sergi, demonstrates the group’s dedication to the long-term growth and sustainability of Australia’s wine industry.
“After investing in installing our large-scale solar farm last year, we’ve focused on achieving Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification across our wineries and grower base. Consumers are increasingly choosing brands that prioritise sustainability, and with Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification, they can trust our wines are produced with environmental care,” he stated.
As of the 2025 vintage, wines produced by Yellow Tail, Peter Lehmann Wines, Morris of Rutherglen, Baileys of Glenrowan, Brand’s Laira Coonawarra, Casella Family Wines and Atmata will be certified by the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia scheme.
Nic Schirripa, Grower Services Manager and Senior Winemaker at Casella Family Brands, says it has taken enormous effort from not only the winery staff, but also the company’s grower network, to obtain certification.
“We’re incredibly proud of the dedication to sustainability demonstrated by all those involved in this process. This program formalises our current operations by providing a structured framework to document sustainability practices. It helps us identify risk areas and uncover opportunities for improvement, and we look forward to advancing our efforts in this space,” he stated.
Jade Rogge, Viticulturist and Winemaker at Peter Lehmann Wines, added: “We recognise the time and investment in the training and auditing process; however, it is an important future step for all of our brands as we progress our sustainability journey.
“At its core, the program is about adopting innovative, sustainable practices to safeguard the land we depend on and ensuring that it remains healthy, productive, and valuable for future generations.”
As the national program for Australia’s grape growers and winemakers committed to making sustainable wine, Sustainable Winegrowing Australia helps winemakers reduce their environmental impact and requires wineries to undergo an independent audit by approved auditors to earn certification.
The program involves managing environmental aspects of winemakers’ operations, including biosecurity, land and soil management, water and more, with the goal of improving sustainability practices and future-proofing the industry.
Dr Mardi Longbottom, General Manager Industry Development and Support at the Australian Wine Research Institute, who manages the technical aspects of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, commented: “We are encouraged by the momentum and increasing ambition of our growing membership and are confident we will achieve world-leading recognition.
“By purchasing wines from a certified producer, consumers can feel confident that they’re supporting sustainable- minded growers and winemakers, who are on a journey to shape the Australian wine community for good.”