Sustainability
Being the best custodians of our site we can be for future generations.
Our mantra has always been that great wines start in the vineyard. Since planting our first vines in 1982, we’ve learnt just how much the health of our soils shapes the quality of our fruit, and consequently our wines.
In the early 2000s we noticed our vines weren’t performing as they once had. The cause was clear; years of conventional spray use had stripped the soil of its natural nutrients. That realisation changed everything.
Today, we farm with a minimal-intervention philosophy, using no synthetic sprays or fertilisers. Instead we focus on building soil vitality through inter-row cropping and spreading more than 400 cubic metres of estate-made compost each year. The results speak for themselves: thriving vines, balanced ecosystems, and wines that express the purity of place.
The work never stops. We continue to nurture biodiversity and monitor soil health to ensure Crittenden remains a leader in sustainable wine-growing, now and for the future.
Soil
Our 400-cubic-metre compost heap - made from grape skins, hay, wood chips, and manure - is our key to sustainable farming. It restores the soil microbes in the vineyard, boosting vine health and enhancing fruit flavour year after year.
Water
We use water sparingly thanks to deep-rooted vines, improved soils, and a recycled A-class water system that supports our vineyard and gardens with minimal waste.
Waste
Waste management may not be glamorous, but at Crittenden, our EPA-compliant wastewater treatment and connection to the town system ensure we process winery waste responsibly and with minimal environmental impact.
Power
Since installing solar panels across all buildings in 2017, Crittenden has operated entirely on solar power - often generating excess energy - and this remains a key part of our emissions reduction efforts tracked from 2023.
INTERNATIONAL recognition
Crittenden was named the overall platinum winner of the BRIT International Sustainable Wine-growing Competition in 2020, ahead of a high-calibre field of wine producers from around the world. The award recognised Crittenden’s commitment to sustainability, innovation and connection to its community.