Spy Valley gains environmental approval

Media release – March 22, 2010

Spy Valley becomes first Marlborough family-owned wine company to gain environmental approval

Marlborough’s Spy Valley has become the first Marlborough family-owned wine company to receive an official sustainable rubber stamp of approval.
Corporate winemakers Pernod Ricard (Montana) and Lion Nathan (Wither Hills) are the only Marlborough other wineries to receive ISO14001 certification.

``It’s all about setting a platform for everything from reporting systems, looking at energy, right through to recycling and vineyard management,’’ Spy Valley Wines general manager Blair Gibbs said today.

``We set these base lines so we can continue to show improvement in all aspects of environmental improvement. Specifically we will now be looking at how to conserve more energy in warehousing, wine production and in tank temperature control.’’

In addition to the rigorous certification process, Spy Valley has 15hectares in organic trials, just completing their second growing season. All Spy Valley’s water usage is monitored and strictly controlled in the winery and vineyard and organic cleaning products are used wherever possible.

In the vineyard spraying is kept to a minimum and environmentally-friendly sprays are used wherever possible. Wastewater is treated onsite and when it meets quality standards it is pumped over the winery lawn.
Gibbs said the sustainable practices were simply an investment in the future by being able to reduce inputs and cost while improving the products and business outcomes.

``Our environment is our most valuable asset. Without it there are no Spy Valley wines. As a result, we are constantly looking at what we can do better reduce waste and protect our irreplaceable environment.

``We believe we are the first company in NZ to import a glass crusher so that we can crush all company and staff members’ glass into a fine glass dust. This is mixed with mulch and distributed below the grapevines to enhance light reflection into the vines.’’
Waste plastic is baled onsite and sent to Christchurch for recycling, as is all of Spy Valley’s waste cardboard. Waste screwcaps are recycled with proceeds going to Kidney Kids – an organisation providing support to children and the families of children who have kidney disorders.

``We recycle our waste paper, magazines, kitchen plastics, cans and we have collect our lunch scraps and feed them to a grateful Ted, a kune kune pig.

Spy Valley sell over 150,000 cases of wine a year but their popularity is not just to do with winning a wall crammed with awards.

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