To view our Environmental Policy, please click here.
To view our Environmental Policy, please click here.
Mission is committed to sustainability through our environmental management and sustainable programmes. Every aspect of Mission’s production is managed to create wines which minimise the impact on the environment. New projects spanning across the business are continuously being developed and reviewed to ensure we are always looking ahead and continuing to improve our commitment to environmental sustainability.
The current production facility has been designed to deliver maximum energy and water efficiencies which is a vital element in our ongoing commitment to the environment.
In 2007 our winery underwent a multi-million-dollar upgrade which was designed to maximise energy efficiency. The winery has had ISO14001 accreditation since 1998 which recognises our ongoing commitment to sustainable viticulture and winemaking practices.
Over the past ten years we have introduced advanced science and technology in the winery allowing us to make some of New Zealand’s finest wines in the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly manner.
The result is a winery that consumes the energy equivalent of just 32 average New Zealand households* and has the carbon footprint of four average New Zealanders**.
*Average NZ household = 8,000 KWh
**Average Carbon Footprint per capita = 8 Tonne
Mission Estate is proudly a founding member of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand and operates under the Sustainable Winegrowers New Zealand (SWNZ) scorecard system.
Our vineyards and winery are audited annually to ensure we continue to operate in a sustainable manner. The SWNZ system is interrelated to the ISO 14001 programme that monitors and aims to continually improve our environmental impact.
We are committed to protecting our environment by reducing the use of chemicals, energy, water and packaging, and wherever possible reusing and recycling materials and waste.
All of Mission’s fruit supply including company vineyards and contract growers are accredited under the sustainable winegrowing certification system.
For more information visit: nzwine.com/sustainability
‘Mission is committed to minimising the impact of its operations on the environment. We were the first winery in New Zealand to achieve ISO 14001 status in 1998, and have been regularly audited every year since.’
Mission has a longstanding commitment to minimise the impact of its operations on the environment. With 170 years of history, we have learned how important looking after our land is and have taken several steps to ensure we meet the highest standards of environmental protection.
To achieve this, we implemented the ISO 14001: 2015 Environmental Management System, an internationally agreed standard that is present in 171 countries around the world and have been accredited since 1998. As part of the criteria, we monitor all our power and water consumption, as well as the use of all materials which have an environmental impact.
Mission has several initiatives running in the vineyards.
Mission is currently transitioning a number of its vineyards to being certified organic. By 2021 the Mere Road vineyard will be 100% certified organic. The Murdoch vineyard is already 100% certified organic.
Sustainable weed management initiative – a New Zealand Winegrowers initiative to investigate methods for maintaining vine vigour and productivity using under-vine cultivation. This includes assessing various weed management strategies and producing a best practices manual for weed management on behalf of New Zealand Winegrowers.
We are trialling our own organic leaf sprays and also use a Collard Leaf Defoliator which removes dead plant material in the flower bunches, and we open up the canopy later in the season which significantly reduces disease minimising the need for commercial sprays.
Irrigation – soil moisture and rainfall are recorded using sensors and telemetry. When used in conjunction with weather forecasts and visual monitoring, irrigation applications can be determined precisely, saving water.
Water pumps are controlled by variable speed drives to ensure efficient water and power use and actual water use is recorded for each vineyard.
It is New Zealand’s first public trial of organic grapes being grown side-by-side with conventional crop and it is happening here at Mission Estate Winery.
The two blocks totalling 16 hectares around our winery have been divided into organic and conventional blocks of pinot gris, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. The difference between the blocks is in their pest and disease control and weeding. On the organic block, the grapes are under-vine cultivated – the traditional method of weed control – instead of being treated with herbicides.
Organic winegrowers aim to cooperate with nature, working with ecological processes and using only naturally derived products, avoiding the use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides. The goals are healthy soils, healthy vines, premium quality wines, and a thriving landscape.
To learn more about the project visit the Organics Focus Vineyard Project website or email Steve Wheeler.
