Environment

While there is fun and frivolity to be found at Wirra Wirra, the approach to working in harmony with the environment is a matter taken quite seriously. Since 2005 the business has had a dedicated Environmental Coordinator living and breathing amongst the tribe, managing the challenges of the many projects now completed and those still ongoing. Wirra Wirra strives to see winemaking as interacting with the environment and continually evolving on the path to environmental sustainability.

Wirra Wirra has been recognised and awarded for Water Conservation by KESAB (Keep South Australia Beautiful organisation) and Water Catchment by the Onkaparinga Water Catchment Mgt Board.

Responsible water usage initiatives include:

• The installation of a three million litre dam, which stores recycled water at the winery. This project was one of the first to have been funded by the Federal Government and is an acknowledgment that Wirra Wirra is driving smarter water usage in the wine industry. The dam allows for a timely application of water to the vineyard, ensuring less water is pumped from the already stressed Willunga aquifer.
• 100% of winery wastewater (6 million litres per annum) is treated in the winery's water recycling plant for irrigating vineyards. 
• A 250,000 litre rainwater tank has been built underground to use for lawn and garden irrigation.

In the vineyards, biodynamic practices are being employed to ensure a healthy growing environment for the vines. Biodynamic practices focus on the balanced, holistic development and interrelationship of the soil, vines, and animals as a closed, self-nourishing system. Healthy vines = vibrant and lively wines.

As a member of the National Packaging Covenant Wirra Wirra is committed to minimising the environmental impacts arising from the disposal of used packaging, conserve resources through better design and production processes and facilitate the re-use and recycling of used packaging materials. This philosophy is also applied where possible to all promotional and administrative products consumed.

Ongoing, Wirra Wirra is redeveloping and implementing an Environmental Management System using Eco-mapping as part of a 12 grower/winery trial in McLaren Vale. The results will feed into the McLaren Vale Grape Wine & Tourism's Environmental Management Plan for the region and encourage others to join the cause for a better, more sustainable environment resulting in better wines.