Sustainable Winemaking: Celebrating Earth Hour with Koonara
Next Saturday the 22nd March marks Earth Hour, that special time when millions around the world switch off their lights for one hour to show support for our planet. Here at Koonara, where sustainable winemaking is at the heart of everything we do, you betcha we are raising our glasses to this brilliant initiative!
SMALL STEPS, BIG IMPACT
Earth Hour is about recognising that small, simple actions can make a meaningful difference when we all pitch in together. It’s a moment to pause and appreciate our beautiful planet while considering how we can protect it for future generations of wine lovers.
Some easy ways to reduce your environmental footprint (without turning your life upside down and your lights off forever):
- Swap plastic bags for reusable shopping bags (they hold more wine bottles anyway!)
- Turn off appliances at the wall when not in use (except your wine fridge, obviously)
- Choose seasonal, local produce where possible – it tastes better too!
- Reduce food waste by planning meals and freezing leftovers – this is a total gamechanger for busy families too.
- Walk or cycle for short trips (though maybe not after a wine tasting)
Sustainable Winemaking: The Koonara Way
At Koonara, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, I’m pretty sure it’s in our DNA. Our genuine passion to make a difference started back when my Dad Trevor was diagnosed with cancer and I started to question our processes.
What could I do to reduce the chemicals in our vineyard which in turn made our vineyards a healthier place to be?
From the Ground Up: Our Vineyard Revolution
We’ve completely transformed how we care for our vines in Coonawarra. For the past 16 years, we’ve refrained from using chemical pesticides or herbicides, focusing instead on nourishing the vines with custom mineral mixes that nurture the soil and vine’s natural balance.
Our secret weapon? Flowers! We’ve planted specific yellow and white-stamen flowers throughout our vineyard that attract beneficial insects – essentially nature’s pest control squad.
These friendly predators eliminate pests like the Light Brown Apple Moth and Vine Moth, allowing us to skip conventional pesticides altogether. The smallest of these helpers, the Trichogramma Wasp, only travels about 20 metres, so we’ve carefully designed our plantings to ensure these tiny warriors can patrol the entire vineyard.
This approach has led to our soil containing 80% higher carbon than most vineyards (a remarkable 2.3%), which means our ground can hold an additional 135,000 litres of water per hectare for every 1% increase in carbon.
That’s not just good for our vines – it’s brilliant for combating climate change! If every farm globally achieved a 3% carbon level (most average just 1.5%), we’d remove a teraton of carbon from the atmosphere – the exact amount that’s accumulated over the last 200 years. Which is just a little bit mind blowing right!
getting water wise
We’ve alsp designed a smart drip irrigation system that uses two-thirds less water than the average Australian vineyard. This sustainable winemaking practice allows us to analyse leaf health via satellite (yes, actual satellites!), so we can precisely monitor when and where to apply water and nutrients, eliminating the guesswork and waste. Just a little bit clever right!
Nature’s Balance
These natural allies are integral to our ecosystem, enhancing biodiversity and soil health, which, in turn, enhances our vine vitality. Instead of fighting nature, we work with it – and our vines have never been healthier or more resilient.
Our winemaking practices reflect our commitment to treading lightly on the earth:
- All our wines are vegan-friendly (yes, not all wines are vegan!). Many wines use animal-derived fining agents like egg whites or fish bladders to clarify wine. By avoiding these, we’re reducing demand for animal agriculture, which has significant environmental impacts including greenhouse gas emissions and water usage. It’s a small choice that aligns with our broader environmental values.
- We keep sulphur levels low in all our wines. Lower sulphur means fewer chemical inputs entering the ecosystem and reduced runoff that can affect surrounding soil and water systems. It also requires more attentive farming practices, focusing on vine health rather than chemical interventions—a win for both the environment and your palate.
- We focus on quality over quantity, making each drop count
The Coonawarra region’s unique terra rossa soil gives our wines their distinctive character, and we’re passionate about preserving this special terroir for generations to come.
When you crack open a bottle of Koonara, you’re not just tasting great wine (well, I mean you are), but you’re tasting our genuine commitment to sustainable winemaking. We reckon that caring for our patch of earth isn’t just good for the planet, it makes our wines taste better too.
Earth Hour Wine Experience: Engage Your Senses
So when the lights go out next Saturday, why not transform Earth Hour into a sensory wine experience? There’s something magical about enjoying wine by candlelight – trust us, it’s a little bit romantic too, but it’s also how wine was enjoyed for centuries before electricity came along!
The soft glow of candlelight creates the perfect ambience for truly appreciating a quality wine’s nuances. With fewer visual distractions and a naturally mindful atmosphere, we think that Earth Hour offers a wonderful opportunity to disconnect and take a moment to truly enjoy what you are drinking.
- Set the scene: A few candles (unscented so they don’t interfere with the wine aromas), your favourite Koonara wine, and perhaps some gentle background music.
- Look: Hold your glass against candlelight and observe the wine’s colour and clarity. Notice how different the hues appear compared to electric lighting.
- Smell: Without visual distractions, your sense of smell is heightened. Take deep, thoughtful sniffs and see what aromas you can identify.
- Taste: Sip slowly and mindfully. Does the wine taste different in this intimate setting? Can you detect flavours you might normally miss?
- Feel: Notice the temperature of the glass, the weight of the wine, and how it feels on your palate.
This somewhat mindful approach to wine tasting not only enhances your appreciation of what’s in the glass but also connects you to the present moment, which let’s be honest is the perfect complement to Earth Hour’s invitation to pause and reflect.
Earth-Friendly Wine Pairings
While you’re planning your Earth Hour evening, why not prepare some locally sourced nibbles to complement your wine? Supporting local producers also reduces food miles and the environmental impact.
- All of our Reds pair beautifully with local cheeses and charcuterie
- Try our Daisies and Dandelions Chardonnay with seasonal vegetables and dips
- For something special, match our Wanderlust Cabernet Sauvignon with locally raised lamb or beef
Shopping at farmers’ markets not only reduces packaging waste but also connects you directly with the passionate people growing your food, much like visiting our cellar door, which connects you with our somewhat excitable winemaking passion!
BEYOND EARTH HOUR
While Earth Hour is a wonderful symbol, its true value lies in inspiring ongoing awareness. At Koonara, we’re constantly looking for ways to improve our environmental practices throughout the year.
So, if you’ve made it this far, the key takeaway is that caring for our planet doesn’t have to be all hard work and sacrifice. Sometimes, it’s as simple as flicking off the lights, lighting a few candles, and pouring yourself a glass of something delicious. S,o while you’re enjoying Earth Hour with a glass of Koonara in hand, take a moment to appreciate this gorgeous planet we call home.
