The time has come not just to sustain, but to regenerate.
We believe that encouraging biodiversity, nurturing our soils, and reducing the use of chemicals and machinery is vital to creating a cleaner future. Central to regenerative practices is an emphasis on soil and vine health. Healthy soils provide the foundation for strong root systems, improved water retention and enhanced nutrient availability, all of which directly influence our vines. One way we improve soil and vine health at the Farm is through detailed soil and vine analysis, followed by reactive sowing of cover crops tailored to the specific vineyard's needs.
Regenerative Farming
Solar Energy - Heating & Cooling
We have recently commissioned a solar energy system at the Winery that we hope will reduce our reliance on the grid by 90%.
The energy-saving plan doesn’t stop at solar energy; Chard Farm also utilises passive heating and cooling methods in the Winery. An evaporative cooler is used to keep the winery cool in the summer months. A heat recovery system is also used on our chiller unit to increase efficiency during wine warming and cooling operations.
In the winery, our underground barrel cellar features open earth gravel pits, which create ideal humidity and temperature conditions for maturation and protect the precious contents of our barrels.
The energy-saving plan doesn’t stop at solar energy; Chard Farm also utilises passive heating and cooling methods in the Winery. An evaporative cooler is used to keep the winery cool in the summer months. A heat recovery system is also used on our chiller unit to increase efficiency during wine warming and cooling operations.
In the winery, our underground barrel cellar features open earth gravel pits, which create ideal humidity and temperature conditions for maturation and protect the precious contents of our barrels.
Waste and Compost
Waste
Chard Farm employs a ‘zero’ waste philosophy in the winery and vineyard, including recycled cardboard, bottles and aluminium screwcaps. We are part of the vineyard post recycling initiative, turning broken vineyard posts into farm fence posts. We also use "Future Posts" in our vineyard, which are crafted from recycled plastics, including recycled vineyard netting.
Compost
We make our own compost from grape marc – the leftover grape skins, stalks, etc, from our harvest. It’s a free, organic, nutrient-dense resource that’s too good to waste; full of stems, skins and seeds. Given a little time on the compost heap, it turns into a vineyard superfood. We target spread the compost on some of our struggling vineyard sites, assisting with soil health and vine nutrition.
Chard Farm employs a ‘zero’ waste philosophy in the winery and vineyard, including recycled cardboard, bottles and aluminium screwcaps. We are part of the vineyard post recycling initiative, turning broken vineyard posts into farm fence posts. We also use "Future Posts" in our vineyard, which are crafted from recycled plastics, including recycled vineyard netting.
Compost
We make our own compost from grape marc – the leftover grape skins, stalks, etc, from our harvest. It’s a free, organic, nutrient-dense resource that’s too good to waste; full of stems, skins and seeds. Given a little time on the compost heap, it turns into a vineyard superfood. We target spread the compost on some of our struggling vineyard sites, assisting with soil health and vine nutrition.
I am over 18 years of age