Sustainable winegrowing now extends across 70% of Australia’s winegrape vineyard area, as growers and winemakers increasingly embed environmental, social and economic sustainability into the way Australian wine is produced. Behind every great bottle of Australian wine is a deep connection to the land in which it is grown. Today, that connection is more visible, and more rigorously protected, than ever before. Driven by an industry-wide groundswell of support, Sustainable Winegrowing Australia is continuing to define our nation’s winemaking story, proving that sustainable practices and world-class wine go hand in hand.
Stepping into this evolution is Chair, Siobhan Toohill, alongside a recently formed Board and Executive Officer, Siobhan Wigan. Siobhan Toohill is continuing to guide Sustainable Winegrowing Australia’s strategic vision. Since the first iteration of the program began in the early 2000s, the shared mission is clear: to ensure the program grows, adapts, and remains deeply relevant for the grapegrowers who tend the soil, the winemakers who craft the wine, and every step of the journey from vineyard to glass for the wine drinker.
“Sustainable Winegrowing Australia’s growth reflects the resilience of Australian growers and winemakers, adapting to changing market and climate conditions, without losing sight of the land they depend on”, said Siobhan Toohill. “We’re proud of what our members have achieved together, and their ongoing commitment to country, communities and the future of the Australian winegrowing industry.”
As one of the first Hunter Valley estates fully certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, Margan champions sustainable practices across 70 hectares of estate-grown vineyards and its acclaimed hyper-local agri-dining restaurant.
Ollie Margan, of Margan Wines & Restaurant in the Hunter Valley highlights, “Margan has long held strong environmental values and having them verified with the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia trust mark allows us to connect with an engaged audience more effectively. We are finding increasingly that our guests are as interested in who we are as a business as they are the quality of our product. The trust mark provides a strong verification of our practices, building trust with our consumers and helps us to create a strong community around our brand.”
Chris Dent, Managing Director of Gorton Drive Estates in Swan Hill, Victoria and Sustainable Winegrowing Australia Board Member says, “For growers, sustainability has to work in the vineyard as well as on paper. Sustainable Winegrowing Australia gives us a practical framework to keep improving, demonstrate what we’re doing and respond to what customers and communities increasingly expect.”
As the definitive, nationally supported sustainability program, Sustainable Winegrowing Australia has seen remarkable adoption. Data from the financial year ending 30 June 2026 paints a picture of an industry united in purpose:
- A growing community: 1,995 members are now enrolled nationwide, with 80% having put in the rigorous work to achieve full certification.
- A national footprint: The movement spans the continent, with members representing 58 of 65 Australian wine regions and covering 70% of Australia’s winegrape vineyard area.
- Scale and impact: The sheer volume of this commitment is evident in the cellar with 96% of the 2025 winegrape crush occurring within Sustainable Winegrowing Australia member wineries.
- The final pour: As a result, the equivalent of over 357 million bottles of wine now qualify to display the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia trust mark proudly.
For the modern consumer, this trust mark is much more than a label on a bottle. It is a story of care, a guarantee of responsible practices, and a symbol that is increasingly shaping how people experience Australian wine. The program is modelled on global best practices and aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with progress towards these monitored annually.
With unwavering national support, Sustainable Winegrowing Australia is ensuring that the story of Australian wine remains one of quality, integrity, and a profound respect for the earth, for generations to come.
