Brown Family Wine Group achieves full SWA certification

The Brown Family Wine Group has achieved Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) certification across the entirety of its vineyards and winemaking sites. It follows the certification of two of its vineyards and two wine making plants last year.  

Brown Family Wine Group head of viticulture and sustainability, Brett McClen, confirmed that all company vineyards and wineries were now certified sustainable under the Freshcare Australian Wine Industry Standard of Sustainable Practice. The standard provides the requirements for viticulture growers to achieve certification enabling them to become certified SWA members. 

“This certification is a significant milestone in our sustainability journey, and we are incredibly proud of it,” said McClen.

Certification of Brown Family Wine Group’s Tasmanian vineyards, Heathcote vineyard, and two winemaking sites in Milawa and Launceston was achieved in 2023.

Brown Family Wine Group CEO Cameron MacFarlane said that moving forward, the winemaker planned to further build on the achievements across the company.

“During my brief tenure at Brown Family Wine Group I have been genuinely inspired by the immense commitment shown towards sustainability in both our viticulture and winemaking practices.

Brown Family Wine Group’s sustainability efforts were recently recognised at the 2024 East Coast Tasmania Tourism (ECCT) Recognition Awards, with Devil’s Corner winning the Innovation and Transformation Award for its implementation of a water treatment plant utilising dam water for the entire vineyard and cellar door site, eliminating the need for frequent water freight thus ensuring a sustainable water supply for vineyards and site amenities.