Our Craft

Mission Estate Winery is committed to sustainability through our environmental management and sustainable programs.

Mission Estate Winery underwent a major expansion in 2007, doubling grape pressing capacity to 2000 tonnes.  The new production facility has been designed to deliver maximum energy and water efficiencies – a vital element in our ongoing commitment to the environment.

This multi million dollar upgrade was a pre-requisite in terms of growth, and most importantly, was designed to maximise energy efficiency. The winery has had ISO14001 accreditation since 1998. This recognises our ongoing commitment to sustainable viticulture and wine-making practices.

Over the past ten years we have introduced advanced science and technology in the winery, and are now able to make some of New Zealand’s finest wines in the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly manner.

Sustainability

Mission Estate Winery is committed to sustainability through our environmental management and sustainable programs. Inputs and outputs are constantly measured, as well as the effects these have on the environment. Our environmental program is managed to guarantee sustainability from the vineyard and winery, through to the bottle.

View our Sustainability Map >>

Mission Winery is committed to minimising the impact of its operations on the environment. To achieve this we are regularly audited, and have been recognised with the ISO 14001:2015 accreditation.

Mission Winery has a longstanding commitment to minimising the impact of its operations on the environment.  With 165 years of history, we’ve 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 implemented 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 that have an environmental impact.

In the building of the winery itself, careful attention was paid to the most energy efficient design as possible.  Thermal Mass construction was used for the structure of the building, helping maximize energy efficiency.  The largest portion of energy consumption in a winery is the refrigeration, and the development of two separate systems designed to re-direct the energy consumption to the most intensive areas, was instrumental in minimizing compressor inefficiencies and generating further energy savings.

The result is a winery that consumes the energy equivalent of just 32 average New Zealand households*, and has the carbon footprint of 4 average New Zealanders**.

Every aspect of Mission Estate’s production is managed to create wines that minimize the impact on the environment.  This innovative approach creates lower demands on New Zealand’s stretched energy resources, which is especially important during the colder winter months.  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.

Click here to view our Environmental Policy.

*Average NZ household = 8,000 KWh

**Average Carbon Footprint per capita = 8 Tonne

The Organics Focus Vineyard Project is a new project to demonstrate the realities of organic production.

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.