Sustainable practices get tick of approval

Sustainability is at the core of everything Terry and Helen Strickland do and it is now official that their boutique wine operation Caroline Hills has met the standards required to be accredited under the Freshcare Australian Wine Industry Standard of Sustainable Practice in Viticulture.

Caroline Hills is a family owned Yahl vineyard, producing small-batch wines created with minimal intervention in the winery including using open fermentation, hand plunging and pumping, gentle oak maturation and minimal filtration.

Their vineyards are some of the oldest in the Mount Gambier region. And now they have been accredited through the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia program, after going through an extensive audit on their practices in management and environmental aspects such as training and development; biosecurity; land, soil and nutrient management; pest and disease management; water and biodiversity.

The former education leaders have turned their hand to winemaking and enjoy the yearly process of working with the climate and soil of the region.

“This certification is an important demonstration of our commitment to sustainable and regenerative agriculture,” Terry said. “The audit process was both challenging and useful, as it prompted us to reflect on what we are doing and improve some aspects of our documentation and procedures.”

Caroline Hills has a long history of regenerative action as they have transformed bare paddocks to vineyards, gardens and native vegetation corridors and wind breaks. The latest of these plantings is a Fibonacci spiral of around 800 Sheoak trees.

The gardens and native vegetation plantings support habitat which attracts diverse insect and bird life that benefits the vineyards.

Some of the initiatives that Caroline Hills have put in place that have assisted in gaining certification include:

• Solar panels provide power for irrigation of the vineyards.

• Composted mulch is applied under the vine rows to increase nutrition and decrease evaporation.

• Their team of ducks provide pest management as they patrol the vineyards and seek out snails.

• Biosecurity measures include sign in, and boot and equipment wash before entering the vineyards.

• Biodiversity measures include extensive plantings of native vegetation to attract beneficial insects in the vineyard.

• Their Murray Grey cattle provide an alternative to mowing in winter and provide fertiliser at the same time.

• Caroline Hills uses elemental or organic applications where possible to combat fungal disease.

• They have planted around 1600 trees and shrubs to form a walkway to a permanent waterhole on the property, which is situated adjacent to the vineyards.

“Building a sustainable and biodiverse environment is complex and requires a commitment to continuous improvement,” Helen said. “We are always looking at evolving technology and knowledge so that we make steady progress to increase regeneration at Caroline Hills.”

Caroline Hills Cellar Door is open on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and by appointment.