The Eighty Acres range, owned by Wakefield Wines based in Australia’s Clare Valley has become the first wine brand to be certified 100% Carbon Neutral, based on a life cycle assessment model compliant to ISO14044.
The wines are unique in that they are carbon neutral at every step of the production and consumption process.
The lifecycle begins in the vineyard before harvesting and ultimately ends with the consumption, disposal and recycling of the finished packaging – a complete cradle to the grave approach.
The analysis was independently audited and approved by RMIT University in Melbourne. The LCA approach allowed Wakefield to define an accurate total carbon footprint and subsequently work to minimise emissions prior to off-setting the balance.
Wakefield then selected Carbon Neutral as its partner to offset the sum of carbon dioxide emissions through a range of domestic projects, independently certified by the Australian Federal Government, ensuring the avoided emissions maximise the benefit to the local environment.
Mitchell Taylor, managing director and winemaker commented: “Wakefield Wines is a family owned company operating in both rural and urban environments. This direct link with the land, along with the long term view we hold for our business development, results in a commitment to operating in a manner that eliminates any negative impact on the environment.”
The range comprises the following wines, available with an RRP around £9.99 at the following wine merchants: Stratford’s Wine Agencies, Cheers Wine Merchants, Smart Liquor, Fareham Wine Cellar, Cooden Cellars, Alexander Hadleigh:
Eighty Acres Chardonnay Viognier 2007
Eighty Acres Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2006 Eighty Acres Shiraz Viognier 2006
Wakefield worked with consultants to develop the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model to accurately measure the carbon dioxide or equivalent emissions at every step in the lifecycle of the Wakefield Eighty Acres range of wines.
Other environmental initiatives being undertaken by Wakefield Wines include:
• ISO 14001 Environmental Management System
• Eco-mapping
• Water Recycling
• Composting and vineyard mulching
• Wakefield River regeneration
• The use of energy from 100% renewable sources in Wakefield Head Office
• Sheep grazing over the winter to reduce the need for both mowing and weed spraying
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