J. Parker Ragland
Special to the Business Press
Annually, the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) presents their International Award of Excellence in Sustainable Winegrowing to the best candidate. This year, Yalumba, the oldest family-owned winery in Australia, became the first foreign organization to win the award.
Throughout the competition, winemakers’ sustainability, social responsibility, and–obviously–wine taste are critiqued. BRIT’s award is unique; no others account for sustainability as completely. Participants are selected on the basis of their environmental, social, and economic practices in winemaking. The competition attracts only the most forward-thinking participants.
“Yalumba is proud to be recognized on an international level for our ongoing commitment to sustainable grape growing, winemaking, packaging, and distribution,” Dr. Cecil Camilleri, Sustainable Programs Manager at Yalumba, told the press. Over the past 30 years, Yalumba has become an industry leader in sustainable winegrowing. The innovation in the organization’s process is apparent from vineyard to distribution facility, according to a BRIT news release.. “Vitis, a grapevine cultivation program, and “Bacchus,” a program ensuring greener production, are purposed to increase biodiversity and better the company’s energy management.
S.H. Sohmer, president and director of BRIT, commented in a press release, “The fact that Yalumba operates its vineyards as ecosystems where everything is connected to everything else is impressive and truly commendable. This is the foundational stewardship tenant of conservation and biodiversity.” After four years, the BRIT International Award of Excellence in Sustainable Winegrowing will leave U.S. borders. The award will be presented to Yalumba at the seventh annual Fête du Vin Wine Dinner and Auction on October 5. The event is to be held at the Fort Worth Club.