Larry Morgan, Te Mata Estate’s Viticulturist, is our resident environmentalist, constantly reminding us of our responsibilities to future generations. Here’s just a few of the improvements Larry’s developed over the last couple of years:
Nature Friendly/Vineyard
All of our vineyards are permanently grassed, thereby encouraging earthworm activity and enhancing soil structure. Many use companion plantings of various species of other flowering annuals such as buckwheat to encourage natural predators, thus reducing the need for spray intervention. Sheep are run in the vineyards from May to September to control grass and weed, with the added benefit of the addition of a low rate of natural fertilizer.
Recycling of Dry Goods
Most of our carton dividers used in wine boxes are made from recycled cardboard and a good proportion of all New Zealand made bottles are made from recycled glass. Winery and vineyard waste, cardboard, plastic and glass bottles are all collected for recycling at a local recycling facility.
Water Conservation Policies
Our cellar staff will tell you that winemaking is all about the cleaning and this involves a lot of water. Unfortunately, water in equals water out and waste water can be an economic and environmental problem for wineries. Recently, we have completed a three year project to build a state of the art waste water treatment system. The clean treated water, with a neutral pH, is then pumped to the Havelock North waste water system.
Carbon Footprint
Electricity use at the winery is as conservative as possible, with our insulated warehouses and underground second year barrel cellar requiring neither winter heating nor summer cooling. In the last two years, the company vehicle fleet has been replaced with modern, fuel-efficient, lower emission diesel motor vehicles. Over the vintage period, to reduce the amount of fuel used, Te Mata Estate charters a bus to transport approximately 60-100 pickers the 60kms to and from the vineyard, reducing the number of cars on the road. Our New Zealand glass bottle manufacturer has already reduced the bottle weight and is aiming to reduce the weight further in 2010. Lastly, Te Mata Estate is gradually replacing all conventional light bulbs with CFL (energy saving) light bulbs.
Social Responsibility
Te Mata Estate employs 60-100 pickers every vintage. The pickers group is made up of local retirees who loyally return every year. One picker has picked for Te Mata Estate for 12 years straight! Te Mata Estate supports a number of local organizations including Cranford Hospice, a specialist palliative care service.
