Yealands Estate recognised for leadership in sustainability at Green Ribbon Awards
Friday 7 June 2013, 2:10PM
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Yealands Estate has won the ‘Large business leadership’ award at the Ministry for the Environment Green Ribbon Awards, at an awards ceremony at the Parliament Buildings, Wellington. The winery was one of 11 winners and the only wine producer to receive an award.
Environment Minister Amy Adams presented the award for the ‘Large business leadership’ category, which acknowledges businesses with over 100 employees who demonstrate an on-going commitment to environmental best practices.
Founder of Yealands Estate, Peter Yealands says, “We are delighted to accept this award in acknowledgement of our mission for global leadership in sustainability. Yealands Estate has been Carbon Neutral certified since inception; however, it is our appetite for innovation and willingness to try new initiatives that sets us apart.”
Yealands Estate is also an accredited member of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand and has a raft of practices that show an attention to detail when it comes to sustainability throughout the wider business, vineyard and winemaking process.
The Marlborough based vineyard has pioneered a wide and on-going range of green initiatives including solar and wind power generation, harvesting storm water for irrigation, extracting energy from vine pruning’s, also the introduction of miniature “baby doll” sheep for weed and grass management, developing more than 25 wetland areas to preserve native species and attract native birds, and playing classical music to their grapevines to help enhance vine growth and flavours.
“Winning this award and also the International Green Award for ‘Sustainable Medium Business’ in 2012 demonstrates our success in creating sustainable initiatives that are measurable and accountable” says Yealands.
The Green Ribbon Awards recognise the outstanding contributions made by organisations, businesses and communities to protecting and enhancing New Zealand’s environment. The finalists covered areas such as caring for water, minimising waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and business leadership.