Tahbilk aspires to be world's first 'naturally' carbon-neutral winery

By Emily Kearns

Published: 12 June, 2013

Australia's Tahbilk Estate is hoping to become the world's first 'naturally' carbon-neutral winery after achieving a net zero balance of carbon emissions in 2012.

Established in 1860, Tahbilk owns some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world and claims to be "governed by nature". Working with Carbon Balance Consulting, it underwent a four-year assessment and two audits in order to measure the origins of its carbon footprint.

Founder of Carbon Balance consulting Steve Andrew said: "Tahbilk achieved a net zero balance of carbon emissions through on-site reductions and sequestering 31% of their footprint through revegetation. The remainder was offset by purchasing carbon credits from accredited projects that have further improved Australia's biodiversity."

Winemaker Alister Purbrick (pictured) said: "When we embarked on the carbon neutral solution we realised we needed to develop a longer visioned sustainability strategy for the future. Our goal now is for the estate to become 100% naturally carbon balanced - without relying on purchasing additional carbon credits."

"My family and I have always felt a strong sense of responsibility to protect and enrich the estate's natural resources. As custodians of the land we believe we have an obligation to protect its ecological integrity in order to leave a sustainable legacy for future generations; our commitment to becoming carbon balanced started in 1995 with the revegetation of more than 100 ha of native plants on the estate and the restoration of 8km of highly ecologically sensitive and significant wetlands."

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