Environmental

[vegas id=209 fade=2000 delay=4000 arrows=no autoplay=yes poster=no random=no]Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) is a management system with an environmental philosophy for the economic production of high quality winegrapes by using natural resources and regulating mechanisms to replace unsustainable inputs and thus to secure sustainable winegrowing. It is a programme based on continuous improvement.

Askerne Estate Winery became SWNZ accredited from the 2004/2005 season.

SWNZ is an holistic approach to grape growing. It goes well beyond Integrated Pest Management which ensures that pesticide use does not prevent natural enemies from providing at least some measure of pest control. SWNZ encompasses many features dear to the “organic” movement (for example, by recognising the importance of soil health and incorporating strategies to maintain it) but stops short of prohibiting main-made inputs such as pesticides. It recognises that sustainability has several components, of which one is a financially viable return.