Whitehaven is...
✔ Currently eco-sourcing native seeds (the process of collecting seeds from areas close to where they will be planted - meaning that plants will be suited to local conditions and more likely to survive). By using eco-sourced native plants we are also helping to maintain the unique local characteristics of The Springs location.
✔ Partnering with The Selmes Garden Trust to propagate the seeds for planting. Selmes is a Community Trust set up to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities within the Marlborough region.
✔ Producing and planting 20,000 eco-sourced natives annually. The first 10,000 seeds have been propagated, and will be planted in 2024.
✔ Dedicating 600ha of company land for restoration.
✔ Actively turning vineyards back to healthy, balanced eco-systems.
✔ Continuing to graze livestock to help reduce mowing, and cycle nutrients through the soil.
✔ Applying interrow planting to help increase biodiversity, improve soil health, and attract beneficial insects. At least 60% of Whitehaven's vineyard land is sown with interrow crops, and the appropriate mix of crops is being developed for the remaining vineyard land.
✔ Investing in undervine mechanical weed removal techniques, at some of its vineyard sites, to reduce herbicide use and limit soil disturbance.
✔ Using lighter glass. All Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc is now in 459g bottles (and 417g for SAQ, Canada). The previous bottle was 560g, that's a saving of 12% and 25% respectively.
✔ Using recycled cardboard cartons for the Kōparepare wine label, while its labels are made from recycled sugar cane by-products.
