Wine tour company takes Green Globe step

4 November 2008

Environmentally aware wine tour company takes Green Globe step

A Queenstown based wine tour company has taken its commitment to tread carefully on the planet to a measurable level by working through the Green Globe benchmarking process.

Appellation Central’s assessment report provided by Green Globe shows the company achieved above Baseline results in all 11 areas and in 10 of those achieved Best Practice. Central’s efforts were summarised in the report as “a world –class achievement to be very highly recommended”.

Appellation Central Wine Tours owners Phil Green and Wendy Johnston have owned their boutique tour company for nearly 10 years and from the outset have implemented a Sustainability Policy focused on minimising environmental effects through reducing recycling, reusing, composting and ensuring their top quality vehicle fleet is always tuned and clean.

The pair have now monitored, measured and documented their practices to achieve the first stage of the Green Globe programme, Benchmarked Bronze status.

Wendy Johnston says they believe it is their responsibility to know exactly how their business impacts on the environment and to implement improvements as technology and knowledge permits.

“Our vehicles are our major environmental concern so much of our efforts were spent working to reduce fuel usage. We use only biodegradable cleaners, prefer to visit sustainable winegrowing accredited vineyards, use only 100% recycled office paper, and take many measures to reduce power consumption, to compost and recycle.”

The pair was delighted to find that their efforts have reached or exceeded Green Globe Best Practice in energy total waste production, vehicle management, paper products, cleaning products and community commitment and is at or above Baseline in water usage. “We’ll work to improve that area,” said Wendy.

Benchmarking represents the first phase of Green Globe Certification. Appellation Central Wine Tours will now continue its journey of sustainability by undergoing a third party verification of their commitment to the environment and compliance with the Green Globe Company Standard.

About Green Globe
Green Globe is the worldwide Benchmarking, Certification and performance improvement system assisting international organisations to attain sustainability. Green Globe provides a certification system that responds directly to the major environmental problems facing the planet, including climate change, waste reduction and non-renewable resource management.

About Appellation Central Wine Tours
Appellation Central Wine Tours is a Queenstown based tour that takes small groups (maximum 10) through Central Otago vineyards in Queenstown, Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell. Appellation Central focuses on making sure visitors fully experience the region, its dramatic scenery, clean air, fresh scents, gourmet food, fine wine and hospitable people. The tours are planned so there’s time to enjoy every aspect of the visit. The pace is relaxed, even slow, with just four or five vineyards visited in a day - guests are invited to have input into the decisions of where to go and what varietals to taste. Appellation Central operates throughout the year, fully appreciating each of the region’s distinct four seasons. Appellation Central is a Qualmark endorsed visitor activity. All guides are Appellation Central Wine Certified.

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