Meet Crittenden Estate, a family owned winery based in the Mornington Peninsula. We had the pleasure of catching up (virtually) with Winemaker Rollo Crittenden, to learn more about Crittenden’s History, their wines and the wonderful sustainability initiatives they have in place. We couldn’t help but be blown away by all that they are doing to give back to the land and the environment, so we took the opportunity to delve a little deeper and share this with you.
Meet The Crittenden Family. Winemaker Rollo, Founder Garry and Marketing Manager Zoe.
Sustainability Initiatives at Crittenden Estate.
Aware of their footprint, our fragile environment and in a pursuit for better soils, fruit and wine; Crittenden Estate have spent over 10 years establishing initiatives and techniques that have proven over and over to benefit their vines, give back to the land and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
So, what are Crittenden doing?
Not labelled organic, biodynamic or vegan friendly (though all of the Crittenden wines in the Winestock portfolio are made without using animal products), Crittenden follows their own ethos when it comes to sustainability.
1. Vineyard:
Around fifteen years ago, Garry Crittenden realised vigour was dying out in the vineyard. He started to abandon the use of artificial fertilizers and began to return to the agricultural ways of his forefathers. Today, Crittenden see the positive changes that these techniques have made to vine health and continue to work to improve on these each year. They follow a year-round process to ensure the soil is at optimal health for vine growth.
This process leads up to harvest and starts with the compost heap they make (around 50 full tip tucks of it) that consists of grape residue (skins and stalks) from vintage, hay, fine wood chips and horse manure. For 12 months prior to its use, this compost heap is turned monthly to encourage the aerobic bacterial ferment before being spread over the vineyard post-harvest.
Here, the bacteria and fungi in the compost mix get to work by forming a partnership with the vines root system to assist in the growth of healthy vines. Along with this, the compost acts as a natural pesticide for the soil, helps condition the soil and acts as a fertilizer providing many of the much-needed nutrients that are essential for vine growth.
Each year around April the team also sow a green manure crop between the vine rows that provides an additional source of biomass (extra fuel) for the vines growth. The crops vary from year to year but typically involve two different types (i.e. oats and broad beans) with the oats providing bulk and the broad beans producing nitrogen.
Once these fast-growing crops reach maturity they are slashed and then rolled flat between the vine rows to form a dense mat that slowly decomposes into the soil. This ‘mat’ provides further nutrients to the vines along with creating a much-needed mulch that helps retain moisture in the soil over the drier summer months reducing the need for irrigation.
The Estate Range at Crittenden Wines.
2. Bees
In Spring 2018 Crittenden installed two beehives in an effort to improve pollination and fruit set on the diverse collection of fruit trees they have on the farm. Knowing the importance of bees, Crittenden were thrilled to see that within two years of doing this, the yields of fruit on the Estate dramatically increased alongside an unexpectedly large yield of delicious honey that that they now sell at their wine centre.
3. Irrigation
Using soil management techniques as previously mentioned coupled with the Estates’ established vines, water usage is minimal at Crittenden with irrigation only being needed over certain periods in summer.
And to provide this much needed water during the summer months, Crittenden in 2013 invested in a recycled water system that enables them to tap into a nearby recycled water outfall and access A-class recycled water to irrigate their vines, landscapes and gardens (sparingly) on the property.
A view from Above. Crittenden Estate’s Vineyard.
4. Solar
In 2017 Crittenden converted their entire estate including their Cellar Door, office and personal winery to Solar to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. This power generated by the solar panels that adorn all their buildings has proved to be so effective that on many occasions it is found to be in a ‘positive state,’ giving power back to the grid.
5. Sewerage
Not necessarily what you think of when it comes to sustainability, but Crittenden embarked on an interesting project over a decade ago when they built and created a Green Wedge Property* on the Mornington Peninsula that is connected to the towns sewerage system.
To overcome the difficulties of having high amounts wastewater (that arise from being in the countryside) and having large amounts of grape juice liberated during vintage, they invested in a wastewater treatment plant on the property. This plant enables them to discharge the treated winery effluent back into the town sewerage system in full compliance with EPA standards.
And to complete this circle of sustainability, this water most likely returns to the property (once treated again) as the recycled water that is used for irrigation.
*A Green Wedge Property is defined under the ‘Green Wedge Zone’ Planning and Environment Act 1987 as land that is recognised and protected for its agricultural, historic, recreational or landscape resources. To build on this land, Crittenden had to meet the strict requirements set by the Mornington Peninsula Planning Scheme.
“The results of their hard work is in the glass.”
With Crittenden’s continued efforts and initiatives towards sustainability, what are the results of all this hard work?
Well, the evidence is in the glass, with consumers and reviewers enjoying a far better expression of colour and flavour in their wines. Beyond this looking at the big picture, Crittenden have and continue to lay down foundations that are creating a more sustainable platform for their vines and more than that, the environment in which we all live and share.
They are working towards creating positive change for the future generations.
Their efforts have been recognised world-wide with them taking the 2020 BRIT/FIVS International Sustainable Winegrowing Award and currently they are nominated for the ‘Keep Victoria Beautiful Award” with the winner being announced in a few months.
To view the full range of Crittenden wines and our full portfolio please click the button below and get in touch with us.