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Supporting the community and surrounding ecosystem
At Penfolds, we are committed to supporting a sustainable future and understand the important role water plays in winemaking.
Our management of water varies at each of our sites depending on the water sources available, the quality of those sources and local regulatory requirements. With majority of our global water use occurring in vineyards, addressing opportunities to manage our water resources and implement conservation measures is our immediate focus given the impact on our business, the environment and the community.
Some of the ways we are working toward reducing our water use and supporting the ecosystem through water management practices include:
Kalimna Dam Project
Our most significant water stewardship achievement is our Kalmna Dam Project. This 254 megalitre lined dam, near our state-of-the-art wine production facility in the Barossa Valley, serves as an offsite hub to collect treated winery wastewater that can be re-used as an irrigation source for our vineyards during the summer growing season.
By reusing water from the winery and providing a reliable supply of water during the warmer months, the dam ensures our water security in the region and gives us the flexibility to support the community, including the nearby Barossa Golf Course.
Wetland rejuvenation project
Our Markaranka vineyard in South Australia is reliant on the health of the surrounding ecosystem supported by the nearby Murray River. To ensure the area remains healthy, the wetland rejuvenation project delivers environmental water to the 200-hectare wetland in the Riverland region bolstering the wetland and floodplain health by stimulating the regular wetting-drying cycle that wetland ecosystems rely on.
The initiative has created an abundance of breeding activity for vulnerable and threatened species including the southern bell frog and Regent Parrot as well as stronger, healthier canopies in black box trees and river red gums.
To date, we’ve donated 795 megalitres of water since the program started in 2009, as well as providing technical support and maintenance through our local vineyard team. The Markaranka vineyard features varietals including Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon used in the Penfolds range of fortified wines.