ACCREDITATION
We have always sought to operate our vineyards and winery in an environmentally friendly manner and are proud of the results we have achieved to date. We have been part of the Sustainable Winegrowing programme since 1998 and have recently achieved CarboNZero certification.
SUSTAINABLE WINEGROWING
This programme was developed and implemented by New Zealand Winegrowers, the organisation that represents the collective interests of grape growers and wine makers. The initial focus was on the vineyard and the programme provides an audited "best practice" guide to efficiently and economically growing premium winegrapes in an environmentally sustainable manner. All Kaimira Ventures vineyards are accredited to the programme.
The scope of the programme was recently extended to include winery operations. We were audited in spring 2008 and are proud that our whole business is now accredited under Sustainable Winegrowing.
For further information on these programmes refer to http://www.nzwine.com/swnz
carboNZero™ certification
The carboNZero programme encourages and supports individuals and organisations to minimise their impacts on climate change by providing them with tools to measure, manage and mitigate their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. GHG emissions are a major contributor to climate change. carboNZero certification is available for organisations, products and services that can demonstrate through a third-party audit that they are actively working to reduce such emissions. For further information on the programme refer to http://www.carbonzero.co.nz/about.asp
Kaimira Ventures has been carboNZero certified since the 2006 vintage following a review of all aspects of its operations from grape growing to wine making and distribution and an independent audit of the findings. We purchased PRE wind power carbon credits as an offset to mitigate our emissions level and have implemented a work programme to further improve our GHG emission efficiency. Steps already taken to this end are using solar water heating in our new winery, exclusive use of energy efficient light bulbs and the introduction of a 2-row vineyard sprayer which virtually halves the tractor time to spray our vineyards.
ORGANIC ACCREDITATION
In May 2009 we entered all our vineyards into the organic certification programme operated by Asure Quality New Zealand. There is a three year transition path during which time we must develop and maintain an operating programme which meets agreed international standards for organic products. The plan is subject to annual audit. In 2012 we will enter the winery into the programme in anticipation of harvesting fully organic certified grapes from vintage 2013. For further information on the programme refer to http://www.organiccertification.co.nz/
EXPORT CERTIFICATION
Every New Zealand winery that exports wine must pass an annual export certification audit. The audit confirms that the provenance of the wines can be traced back to the vineyards, that no inappropriate additives or practices have been used and that documentation is available to detail every step on the winemaking process from the grape growing history through bottling and dispatch to customers. Kaimira Ventures has received certification in every year of operation.
WINE STANDARDS MANAGEMENT PLAN
Since 2008 every New Zealand winery is required to maintain a wine standards management plan which covers the processes and procedures governing their wine making. Kaimira Ventures maintains an operating plan which is subject to independent audit.
