Nestled in the heart of Central Otago, Felton Road is not just one of New Zealand’s top wineries; it’s a trailblazer in the push for environmental sustainability.
With a bold vision for a better planet, co-owner Nigel Greening and his team are making impactful strides with each bottle they produce.
The winery’s resilience shines through, especially in the face of the extreme weather events that climate change brings.
Commitment to Carbon Neutrality
Greening emphasizes that Felton Road is steadfast in its mission to achieve zero carbon emissions.
He firmly believes that technology holds the key to tackling the escalating challenges posed by climate change.
While he appreciates the philosophies behind biodynamic and organic farming, Greening advocates for harnessing technological innovations to elevate sustainable practices.
For instance, their pioneering mildew forecasting system utilizes artificial intelligence to predict mildew threats, which drastically reduces the need for pesticides.
Innovative Strategies for Sustainability
The winery has set an ambitious goal to eliminate its carbon emissions entirely by 2035.
To accomplish this, Felton Road is transitioning towards fully electric transportation and implementing autonomous drones for spraying operations in the vineyards.
They are also exploring lighter packaging options to minimize their carbon footprint and considering rewilding as a strategy to offset emissions.
Encouraging Industry-Wide Change
Greening is aware of the financial hurdles that this shift to zero emissions can present.
However, he insists that each step taken is a step in the right direction.
He calls on the wine industry, and businesses in general, to recognize their roles in environmental stewardship.
While changes might seem insignificant on their own, Greening argues that their cumulative effect can lead to meaningful progress in combating climate change.
Source: Wine-searcher