Oxford Landing underlines its sustainability credentials

Oxford Landing, a brand known for offering decent drinking at sensible prices, has just unveiled a new range to mark World Sustainability Day later this month.

Regenerate is the name of the new Oxford Landing wine collection, which it says "reflects the winery’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and offers wine lovers the chance to embrace a more sustainable approach to enjoying wine".

As an early adopter of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) practices, the Riverland winery says it integrates sustainable practices at every stage of winemaking.

"From vineyard to bottle, Regenerate highlights the winery’s dedication to preserving ecosystems, improving biodiversity, and minimising environmental impact," says senior winemaker Andy La Nauze.

“We walk the talk of sustainable winemaking. Through the Regenerate collection, we connect with like-minded wine lovers by ensuring that each bottle we produce contributes to a healthier planet.”

Which may be a bit of stretch, but every little bit helps.

At the heart of Oxford Landing is its 1:1 Plantings Project: an initiative that aims to restore native flora and fauna across the Riverland region.

In 2007, the winery purchased 600 hectares of farmland next to its vineyard and has since planted more than 200,000 native trees and shrubs, enriching biodiversity to reduce the need for artificial inputs, and improving soil health for better water efficiency.

This regenerative approach not only protects the environment but enhances the natural character of the wines, creating vibrant, flavourful expressions of the land.

Beyond the health of the vineyard, La Nauze says packaging is the biggest contributor to the carbon footprint of the wine industry.

Regenerate’s eco-friendly packaging underscores Oxford Landing’s approach to sustainability, making use of lightweight glass bottles that reduce carbon emissions by approximately 170 tonnes annually through production and transport efficiencies.

“Glass is our biggest contributor to carbon emissions, which we audit every year. Lighter glass bottles and sustainable materials are tangible steps towards a greener future across our industry.” says La Nauze.

Aside from glass, Regenerate utilises 100% recycled cardboard and FSC-certified paper for its cartons and labels, which I must say are a little underwhelming.

“The Regenerate collection is an easy way for consumers to make better-for-the-planet decisions when buying wine, which in turn helps us to continue innovating and taking small steps to lower emissions in the winery,” La Nauze adds.

“We believe that small, thoughtful decisions - like choosing wines with eco-friendly packaging - can collectively make a significant difference.”

The collection features four wines, each with labels adorned with illustrations of Riverland flora and fauna, reflecting the region’s biodiversity.

The Regenerate wines: a shiraz and cabernet sauvignon from 2023 and a pinot grigio and chardonnay from 2024. All  retail for $15 and are available through Coles Liquor (Liquorland and First Choice) and on the Oxford Landing website at https://www.oxfordlanding.com/

All are solid, well-made wines ideal for midweek enjoyment. The juicy, flavoursome and varietally impressive shiraz was my personal favourite but all do the job.

# World Sustainability Day is celebrated annually on the last Wednesday of October