MEMBERS of the South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA) can now nominate for the upcoming 2022 Environmental Excellence Awards.

The awards will celebrate leadership in environmental management and sustainability in the state’s wine industry by recognising wineries that adopt quantifiable improvements in key areas of environmental sustainability.

“The South Australian wine industry has demonstrated excellence in environmental stewardship for many years, leading to a strong clean and green reputation,” said SAWIA chief executive Brian Smedley.

“But we can always do better as an industry. The SAWIA Environmental Excellence Awards aim to highlight members who demonstrate leadership in areas such as energy and carbon, land and biodiversity, water and waste.”

The theme of leadership this year comes following the tough operating conditions due to Covid-19 and other externalities.

“The program also helps us to identify the current environmental issues facing the Australian wine industry and community, so that we can find and share practical solutions to those issues,” Mr Smedley said.

“SAWIA understands the significant challenges to the wine sector in the past year, and the program is seeking to provide recognition of the significant improvements in environmental management that

SAWIA members have made during this challenging period.”

The categories for the awards are small/medium wineries, large wineries and viticulture.

Entry is free and open to all SAWIA members by visiting the SAWIA website and submitting an entry form, or for phone applications call Mark Gishen on 8222 9287.

Entries close on Friday, August 5. Shortlisted entries will be asked to attend an approximate 45 minute online interview with the judging panel.

Winners will be announced at the SAWIA annual member’s lunch in September.