Darren De Bortoli, managing director at De Bortoli Wines. Image courtesy De Bortoli Wines

All of De Bortoli Wines’ vineyard holdings across the Yarra Valley, Riverina, King Valley, Heathcote, and Rutherglen – a total of 906 hectares – have officially received certification from Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA).

SWA certification is awarded to vineyards and wineries that demonstrate ‘best practices’ in environmental, social, and economic sustainability, ensuring continuous improvement through rigorous independent auditing. As global consumers increasingly seek out sustainably produced wines, De Bortoli Wines said this certification emphasises its role in responsible winemaking at a time when environmental consciousness is reshaping the industry.

“For us, sustainability is about respect—respect for the land, for our winemaking traditions, and for future generations,” said Darren De Bortoli, managing director. “We are constantly evolving our practices to ensure we are making a positive impact on the environment while continuing to produce wines people love.”

In 2010, De Bortoli’s winery in Bilbul was the first to obtain certification to the Entwine standard. This was followed by SWA certification for the Riverina vineyards in 2021, and then Rutherglen in 2024.

De Bortoli Wines sustainable initiatives span water management, biodiversity conservation, energy efficiency, and waste reduction, and the winery said that the SWA certification further validates its efforts. Additionally, De Bortoli Wines is beginning to incorporate the SWA trust mark on approved wines, starting with the One Line range, allowing consumers to easily identify and support sustainably produced wines.

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