Sustainable Winegrowing Australia
Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) is Australia’s national program for grapegrowers and winemakers to demonstrate and continuously improve their sustainability in the vineyard and winery through the environmental, social and economic aspects of their businesses.
The program takes a holistic approach to managing, supporting and promoting sustainability. It fosters stronger relationships between growers, wineries and their regions. It also provides authority and confidence to customers, who receive reliable certified produce to address growing global consumer demand.
SWA is a voluntary program designed with flexibility to suit the changing goals and needs of all Australian grape and wine producers. It informs and contributes to the identification of priorities for wine industry research, development and extension activities and can be used by members for benchmarking.
The program is administered by the Australian Wine Research Institute with governance, endorsement and active support from Australian Grape & Wine and Wine Australia. The program is modelled on global best practices and aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with progress towards these monitored annually.
Support Program
More than 40 Clare Valley Wine & Grape Association members have indicated that they are interested in joining Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA). This fantastic response illustrates a regional commitment to record, benchmark and promote sustainability and the Association is excited to launch its program to support the adoption of SWA by our members.
The Association in partnership with the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board are offering members highly subsidised training and on-going support to help both grower and winery businesses achieve SWA membership or certification.
Joining is easy and membership is available to all grape growers and wine producers. Vineyards and wineries must hold separate memberships because the data provided by each part of the business is different.
Further Information
Members
- Members of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia must annually report the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia business metrics and complete the self-assessment workbook. Members do not require an independent audit. Becoming a member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia and is a pathway to becoming a certified member. Annual fees: $110 per site, whether vineyard, winery or wine business.
Certified Members
- Certified members of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia choose to be certified by undergoing an independent third-party audit (every three years) against the approved certification standards for viticulture and wineries. Fees: Certification training costs $460, and independent audit $1200-$2000
The Australian Wine Industry Standard of Sustainable Practice (AWISSP) Freshcare training is not designed to be an entry level course, so the baseline is that people are already members of the program and understand the requirements. If you are completely new to SWA, it is recommended that you complete the pre-requisites and view the pre-training resources, including viewing the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia update - YouTube. It is also suggested to:
- Print or draw a property map of your site (this will be used in Session 1 as part of the sustainability action plan & property map)
- View the Electronic training materials
The training is geared around preparing members to become certified and undergo an audit. If you need assistance, we will be offering a support program with more information to be announced soon.
Note: SWA membership is a prerequisite for certification training.
Requirements to be certified by Vintage 2024
If your aim is to be certified by Vintage 2024, you will need to have completed membership requirements of the data/workbook and made payment by August 31. After this date, you will be working towards certification for Vintage 2024
Certification audit
- Book audit with Freshcare auditor
- CVWGA will help negotiate discounts and coordinate audits where possible.
- Successfully complete audit to attain certified membership
- If you would like some assistance to complete your membership and workbook, we will be offering a practical, supported session where you can bring your laptop and ask questions as you go, details to be announced soon.
- Take up the level of support you require to work towards the Freshcare certification and membership workbook
- Support program calendar to be released soon!
Membership with Sustainable Winegrowing Australia - Information
Next Steps
- Register your business details online – REGISTER TODAY Follow this link to begin your SWA membership
- Wait for approval of registrations and receive login details from AWRI (approximately 48 hours between registration and approval)
- Complete workbook online
- Complete data metric online
- Pay membership fee of $110.
Key Dates
Today: Register business details
Before 31 August: Complete membership (workbook, data metrics, payment) to qualify for certification for vintage 2023
Before 7 September: Complete membership (workbook, data metrics, payment) to participate in Clare Valley certification training session
28 Jun 2022
Announcing a training and engagement program to support the adoption of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia in the Clare Valley
The CVWGA in partnership with the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board are offering members highly subsidised training and on-going support to help both grower and winery businesses achieve SWA membership or certification
**Source: Sustainable Winegrowing Australia