Kalleske Wines in Australia's Barossa Valley have been awarded the 2012 Advantage SA InterContinental Sustainability Award for implementing sustainability measures to minimise their environmental footprint. Genuine sustainability and careful environmental practices are at the core of Kalleske farming, grape growing and winemaking. Kalleske control weeds by suppressing mid-row weeds over winter with a green-manure cover crop of cereal and legume that in spring is mowed/worked into the soil. This provides nutrients and organic matter. Under-vine weeds are controlled mechanically with a weeder blade/dodger or via mowing. Managing weeds this way ensures a loose permeable soil which is open to maximum rainfall penetration. By avoiding synthetic herbicides, earthworms and soil microbes are protected, ensuring a highly biologically active soil and subsequent benefits. Certified organic and biodynamic practices in the vineyard and winery not only result in top quality grapes and award-winning wine, but ensure soil, air and waterways are not polluted with synthetic chemicals and fertilisers. Organic viticulture also results in more carbon being retained in the soil, (making it healthier) instead of finding its way into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Kalleske were also recognised for generating their own solar electricity on site and have become water self-sufficient by capturing and storing rainwater from the winery and farm sheds. (Photo: Tony Kalleske accepting the award with Brian Hurn - Barossa Mayor) ${imageDescription} Comment