We are proud to share that Henschke has achieved Gold Member status with International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA), placing us among the leading Australian wineries to meet the highest standards in carbon emission reduction.
This recognition follows the completion of our full greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory across Scopes 1-3, as well as our ongoing efforts to ensure that our winemaking operations are powered by at least 20% renewable energy on site and demonstrate a consistent reduction of emissions per litre of wine.
“We’re thrilled to receive this recognition for our family and team’s efforts. Prue and I recognised that the changing weather patterns experienced throughout the 1990s were a threat to our ability to continually improve wine quality. With our focus on crafting captivating, single-vineyard wines from pre-phylloxera vines, we knew we needed to care greatly for these old vines, and the land they grow in. Preserving precious natural resources, water and soil fertility, has been Prue’s unwavering focus for the past four decades. It has led to extensive work to improve biodiversity and soil health, as well as to gain certification for these sustainable practices.”
- Stephen Henschke, fifth-generation winemaker and owner
“With the sixth generation joining us in the business, we’ve embraced the opportunity to be among the pacemakers in our community. This has strengthened our commitment to adopting less-polluting forms of energy with our solar microgrid and to putting downward pressure on our emissions footprint. Completing our GHG inventory with IWCA has been another important step in committing our team and business to the long-term goal of consistently reducing our environmental impact. As caretakers of some of the oldest vines in the world, we want to tread as lightly as possible on our land; land that has been nurtured by six generations of Henschke and is our past, our present and our future”.
- Prue Henschke, chief viticulturist and owner
“We are delighted that Henschke has achieved Gold membership of IWCA. As one of Australia’s prestigious wine business’, their success comes to reinforce the presence of IWCA in that country. As vine growers, we are severely suffering from the consequences of climate change, our duty to future generations is to act now. We hope that many more wineries, inside and outside our country, join our cause to accelerate the decarbonization of the wine industry.”
- Katie Jackson, President and co-founder of IWCA
International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) was co-founded in February 2019 by Familia Torres (Spain) and Jackson Family Wines (USA), two leading wine families deeply rooted in environmental stewardship with a passion to preserve the world’s great wine heritage in the face of climate change. IWCA is a collaborative working group that addresses climate change through innovative carbon reduction strategies. The IWCA Annual Report is published each November showcasing members’ individual efforts in their journey to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, giving an exclusive snapshot of how wineries are adopting innovative practices in the face of climate change. It is an essential read for commentators, opinion-formers, buyers, and fellow winery owners who appreciate the real need to tackle the climate crisis in the context of the long-term sustainability of the wine industry.
