2021 ACT Landcare Award Winner
Australian Government Landcare Farming Award – Mount Majura Vineyard
Our Approach to Sustainability
At Mount Majura Vineyard, our approach to sustainability is holistic. By combining experience, innovation and a deep understanding of our site, we make considered decisions that benefit the environment, vineyard health and the quality of our wines.
Our philosophy is simple: quality should come naturally. By choosing varieties and growing methods suited to our site, we allow the vineyard to express its full potential.
Working with Nature
We understand that ground cover supports biodiversity and soil health. That’s why we use an undervine mower to manage vegetation beneath the vines, while our mid-row mowing practice ensures only alternate rows are mowed at any one time. This provides shelter for beneficial insects and animals, while allowing plants to flower and set seed, helping to replenish the vegetation.
When we can, we introduce sheep from our neighbours into the vineyard to assist with vegetation control and fertilisation.
Whilst fungicides are still part of our management program they are used sparingly and chosen to be selective and gentle on beneficial insect populations. This allows healthy populations of beneficial insects balancing other vineyard insect pests.
For example, grapevine scale has been nearly eliminated from the vineyard via the removal of Sulphur sprays and the introduction of lady bugs.
Canopy Management and Sun Protection
With most vineyard rows running east to west, we have adapted our vertical shoot positioning (VSP) system to suit the site. Shoots are lifted only on the southern side, allowing the canopy to drape over the northern side and shade the fruit.
This creates dappled light, helping reduce sun exposure and the risk of sunburn while managing the development of phenolic characters in the grapes.
The Valley Block
In 2021, we began planting the 4.5-hectare Valley Block, expanding our vineyard to 14 hectares. The block is completely planted with phylloxera-resistant rootstock. Phylloxera is a tiny, aphid-like insect that feeds on grapevine roots, damaging their ability to take up water and nutrients. Left unchecked, it can weaken and eventually kill vines, making it one of the most destructive pests in the history of winegrowing. While Phylloxera has not been detected in the Canberra District it is present in Australia, and this is an important step in future-proofing the vineyard.
Additionally, an all steel trellis system has been used to avoid the use of treated timber posts. All new posts or post repairs use steel on the entire vineyard.
Strict biosecurity procedures, including the cleaning and disinfection of footwear and machinery, help reduce the risk of introducing pests and diseases.
Adapting to a Changing Climate
Analysis of our historical vintages, including the colder and wetter seasons of 2011 and 2012, indicates that picking dates have advanced by an average of one to two days per year. This data helps guide our decisions about varieties, vineyard management and winemaking as conditions change.
As an example, we continue to experiment with later ripening varieties such as Graciano to stretch our season longer. Varieties that ripen later will ripen under more moderate temperatures resulting in better wine quality over the long term.
Quality Through Site Selection
When we planted our first Tempranillo in 2000, we recognised the similarities between the climate of Spain’s Ribera del Duero region and the Canberra District.
Today, we grow Tempranillo across four sites: Little Dam, Rock Block and Dry Spur and The Valley. Each produces wines that reflect its individual microclimate and character.
Our flagship Tempranillo brings fruit from these sites together, while our single-site wines offer a more focused expression of terroir. Together, they reflect our commitment to wines that express a distinctive sense of place.
Lightweight Glass: A Lighter Touch
As an early adopter of lightweight glass wine bottles, we have taken steps to reduce our packaging footprint while maintaining the quality and integrity of our wines.
Lighter bottles use less raw material and reduce transport weight, supporting more efficient resource use and lower transport impacts. It is one of the practical ways we continue to improve sustainability from vineyard to bottle.
Wine Australia – the statutory authority for the Australian Wine industry – estimates that getting 40% of Australian wine bottles down to 380g or less by 2030 would save approximately 123,081 tonnes of CO₂ per year relative to the 2021 baseline.
Sustainable Cellar Door Design
Our cellar door incorporates passive solar principles to help maintain comfortable internal temperatures. The concrete floor slab stores heat, while wall panels and high ceilings contribute to temperature management.
Semi-deciduous vines shade the walkways during warmer months while allowing sunlight through in winter. Together, these features support a comfortable visitor environment and help moderate the building’s reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater tanks supply all water used at our cellar door and winery, capturing rainfall for productive use. We are not connected to Canberra Water.
This system is an important part of our approach to responsible water management and sustainable building operations.
Sustainability Beyond the Vineyard
Our understanding of the land also guides decisions beyond grape growing and winemaking.
The lowest section of our property was unsuitable for vineyard development and became separated from the rest of the site by a new road. We chose to lease this land for solar energy projects, including SolarShare, a community-owned initiative.
By making productive use of land unsuitable for vines, we support renewable energy generation while keeping vineyard development focused on areas best suited to growing quality grapes.