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Casella Family Brands proudly announces Sustainable Winegrowing Australia member certification.

16th January 2025 | Written by Dan Mcmillan

Highlights:

  • As Australia’s largest family-owned winery, Casella Family Brands (CFB) has earned Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification for its wineries, vineyards, and grape supply.
  • This achievement is a major milestone for the industry, ensuring that over 1 in 10 grapes will now be grown sustainably (based on 2024 vintage crush figures¹)
  • CFB exports 16% of Australia’s total wine exports, meaning this portion of Australian wine will be sustainably produced (from the 2025 vintage release²)
  • Starting with the 2025 vintage release, wines from [yellow tail], Peter Lehmann Wines, Brand’s Laira, Morris of Rutherglen, Baileys of Glenrowan, Casella Family Wines, and Atmata will proudly carry the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification.

Casella Family Brands (CFB), producer of [yellow tail] wine, Peter Lehmann Wines, Morris of Rutherglen, Baileys of Glenrowan and Brand’s Laira Coonawarra has announced the certification of its winemaking sites, vineyards and grape supply under the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia scheme. Sustainable Winegrowing Australia is Australia’s national program for grape growers and winemakers committed to making sustainable wine.

CFB’s involvement in the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia initiative demonstrates its dedication to sustainable practices and the long-term growth of Australia’s wine industry. The CFB-owned Riverina, Barossa, Rutherglen, and Glenrowan wineries are now certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. From the 2025 vintage release, wines from [yellow tail],
Peter Lehmann Wines, Brand’s Laira, Morris of Rutherglen, Baileys of Glenrowan, Casella Family Wines and Atmata will be Sustainable Winegrowing Australia-certified.

In 2024, CFB contributed 12% of Australia’s annual wine grape crush, showcasing the company’s pivotal role in advancing sustainability within the sector through this certification. As
a result, more than 1 in 10 grapes harvested will now be grown under the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia program.

Sustainability Manager Joey Sergi said the certification was a significant step in the company’s sustainability journey, “After investing in installing our large-scale solar farm last year, we’ve focused on achieving Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification across our wineries and grower base. Consumers are increasingly choosing brands that prioritise sustainability, and with Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification, they can trust our wines are produced with environmental care.”

Dr Mardi Longbottom, General Manager Industry Development and Support at the Australian Wine Research Institute, who manages the technical aspects of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, says, “We are encouraged by the momentum and increasing ambition of our growing membership and are confident we will achieve world-leading recognition. By purchasing wines from a certified producer, consumers can feel confident that they’re supporting sustainable- minded growers and winemakers, who are on a journey to shape the Australian wine community for good.”

Casella Family Brands has supported its grower base in achieving vineyard certification. Nic Schirripa, Grower Services Manager and Senior Winemaker, acknowledged the enormous effort and commitment to obtaining the certification from the winery staff and the company’s grower network. He said, “We’re incredibly proud of the dedication to sustainability demonstrated by all those involved in this process. This program formalises our current operations by providing a structured framework to document sustainability practices. It helps us identify risk areas and uncover opportunities for improvement, and we look forward to advancing our efforts in this space.”

Jade Rogge, Viticulturist and Winemaker at Peter Lehmann Wines, comments, “We recognise the time and investment in the training and auditing process; however, it is an important future step for all of our brands as we progress our sustainability journey. At its core, the program is about adopting innovative, sustainable practices to safeguard the land we depend on and ensuring that it remains healthy, productive, and valuable for future generations.”

What does Sustainable Winegrowing Australia Involve?
The program helps Australian wine producers reduce their environmental impact. Based on the well-known ISO 14001 standard, it encourages producers to be more eco-friendly and responsible. To get certified, wineries must undergo an independent audit by approved auditors.

It assists businesses in managing the environmental aspects of their operations. This includes minimising the harmful environmental effects caused by a business’s activities, including environmental risks through the supply chain. Environmental aspects included in the standard are biosecurity, land and soil management, chemical and nutrient management, water, biodiversity, waste, air quality, energy and fuel efficiency.

In addition, the program addresses overall business management processes, such as sustainability action planning, employee management, customer and supplier management, and incident management. The main goal is to help producers lower their environmental risks, follow regulations, and keep improving their green practices, leading to a more sustainable future for the industry.

Notes to Editor:
Data sources for ¹ and ² – CFB internal data and Wine Australia National Vintage Report and Exports.

Media Contacts:

Justine Harvey
Communications Manager, Casella Family Brands
M +61 468 674 750 | E justine.harvey@casellafamilybrands.com

Frankie Harding
Head of Communications, Casella Family Brands
M +61 455 492 260 | E frankie.harding@casellafamilybrands.com

About Sustainable Winegrowing Australia
Sustainable Winegrowing Australia is a collaboration between The Australian Wine Research Institute, Wine Australia and Australian Grape & Wine. The voluntary program takes a holistic approach to managing, supporting, and promoting sustainability. It is modelled on global best practices and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with progress towards these monitored annually.

About Casella Family Brands (CFB)
Founded in 1969 by Filippo and Maria Casella, Casella Family Brands has evolved from a modest hand￾built winery into Australia’s largest family-owned drinks company. The pivotal moment for the company was the launch of [yellow tail] in 2001, An easy-to-enjoy wine designed to captivate a new global audience. [yellow tail] quickly achieved international acclaim for its quality, value, and distinctive packaging. Today, Casella Family Brands boasts a diverse portfolio with leading brands across multiple categories, including wine, beer & cider, RTD & seltzers, and spirits. The company is also committed to offering a range of zero, low, and mid-alcohol alternatives, reflecting its dedication to innovation and consumer choice.

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