Family Winery Recognised At Prestigious Environmental Awards

Family Winery Recognised at Prestigious Environmental Awards

Taylors Wines has been announced as a winner at the 2010 Banksia Environmental Awards, for the Leading in Sustainability Award in the small to medium enterprise category. The National Banksia Environmental Awards are regarded as the most prestigious environmental awards in Australia and Taylors Wines was the only winery recognised at this year's awards.

Taylors Eighty Acres range is the world's first 100% carbon neutral wine range in accordance with the international standard for lifecycle assessment ISO14044 and this along with a list of other environmental initiatives impressed the team of national judges. They believe that Taylors Wines is setting an example for Australian wineries.

Environmental initiatives implemented in recent times include:

* Eighty Acres wines have been moved in to OI's new Lean+GreenTM glass - which is 40% lighter than the original glass and reduces CO2e by more than 15%1. New vintages of Promised Land and Taylors Estate ranges are also being packaged in this innovative lightweight glass.
* A refrigeration system project, working to overhaul refrigeration systems and implement energy efficient ammonia refrigeration that is expected to have an immediate impact of a 35% energy saving for the same refrigeration capacity.
* A state-of-the-art water recycling facility recycles 100% of the waste water for re-use in the vineyards while straw spreading and computer controlled drip-fed irrigation lines help to minimise water consumption.
* Organic cultivation practices such as the introduction of sheep into the vineyards to naturally graze and reduce pesticide usage.
* Championing the formation of the community based River Wakefield Group in the Clare Valley, which has worked to regenerate the local river, control weed species and plant local indigenous vegetation to enhance biodiversity. To date, approximately 3000 flora species have been planted.

The Honourable Julia Gillard MP, Prime Minister of Australia and patron of the Banksia Foundation, sent congratulations to all of the 2010 Banksia Award finalists:

"Through the prestigious annual awards ceremony, the Banksia Environmental Foundation is able to inspire a new generation of environmental leaders. I look forward to witnessing their contributions now and in years to come."

The Banksia Environmental Foundation, established in 1989, is a national not-for-profit organisation that recognises valuable Australian individuals and organisations for their tireless efforts in making a positive difference to the environment. Leading by example, the winners of the Banksia Environmental Awards inspire and motivate other individuals, organisations and companies across Australia to take up the vision, pursuit and practice of environmental excellence.

This year's Banksia Awards celebrated those who have made it their mission to make the future of the earth better than it is today.

Taylors Wines Managing Director, Mitchell Taylor is delighted with the news:

"To be a winner in the Banksia Environmental Awards is great recognition of the work we've been doing in this area in moving towards greater sustainability and making real changes to protect the future of our environment."

The winners were announced on Friday, 15 October in a presentation at the Sydney Town Hall where Tony Burke, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities was in attendance to celebrate the winners.

Taylors Wines Environmental Ambassador, Clinton Taylor who proudly accepted the award comments:

"As a family winery we take a long term view of our business and place great importance on protecting the environment for future generations. From the entire Taylors family, we are honoured to accept this award and applaud all the companies and individuals who were recognised for their contributions on the night. "

Further information on the Banksia Awards visit www.banksiafdn.com
For further information on Taylors wines visit www.taylorswines.com.au
For further information on Taylors 100% Carbon Neutral Eighty Acres range visit www.eightyacres.com.au

-ENDS

For media queries and interviews, please contact Georgina Jordan from Liquid Ideas on (02) 9667 4211 or [email protected]

1 OI-30570 & OI-30571 versus OI-30163

SOURCE: Taylors Wines