Environment
Cape Campbell's team is dedicated to protecting the natural environment, by producing quality wine with minimal effect on the environment.
Beside the wine, the most impressive feature in the vineyard is a 9 acre lake which attracts all manner of fauna and flora. An extensive planting programme has made this lake into a fully functional part of the vineyard, supplying all the water required to service 80 hectares of vineyard.
Cape Campbell Vineyard - Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) Accredited 2008
SWNZ is the initiative started by volunteer grapegrowers who wanted to see environmental sustainability in their business. This has now become a commercial certification and has some strict guidelines in place. Each vineyard has a scorecard which is the core operational document, it acts as a reference document for growers through the season and provides a format for recording the practices used in the vineyard. The scorecard is made up of 5 categories; Soils and fertilisers, Ground cover and irrigation management, Diseases, Pests and Membership Criteria. It encourages continual improvement, and is a “living document” which is easily updated to include new practices.
SWNZ aim is for all New Zealand Wineries and Vineyards to be operating in accordance with an independently audited sustainability programme by vintage 2012.
Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE)
RSE is a government work policy for the viticulture and horticulture industry in New Zealand. RSE allows employers to recuit from the Pacific Island nations provided that they adhere to strict guidelines regarding work conditions, accommodation conditions, pay rates etc. Cape Campbell was one of the first companies in New Zealand to use RSE labour.
Estate Initiatives
The irrigation lake was built in a natural water course which not only allowed the area to be landscaped in a natural manner, it was done with the minimal disturbance to the surrounding land. Since developing the lake there have been numerous species of water bird (both native and exotic) establish colonies here.