environmental care

Paracombe is a beautiful part of the world. The air is fresh and clean, the scenery is diverse and beautiful, a natural tapestry which changes with every season. At the Paracombe vineyard and winery there is a real appreciation of the environment and the importance of working in harmony with nature.

Paul and Kathy Drogemuller have taken steps to minimise their impact on the environment and be efficient as possible in resources like water and energy use in both viticulture and winemaking.

In the vineyard there is a minimal use spray program. Grass is slashed between the vine rows and the cut grass dispersed directly under vines to produce mulch for water retention and promote worm activity and healthy soils.

There is even a family of resident kangaroos that live happily in the Drogemuller vineyards at Paracombe.

Paracombe is located in the important Adelaide water supply catchment area, when establishing their new winery; Paul and Kathy developed a wastewater treatment and reuse facility. All winery wastewater and run off water is collected via a special filter and treated through an aeration system. High pressure, minimal water spray equipment has replaced caustic chemical cleaning in the winery. Even at harvest time unused grape stems get fed to the Drogemuller family cattle herd and grape marc goes to mulch.

Their office and function facility has been built using a product called Eco Wall Panels and is made from concrete covered, reconstituted polystyrene materials, i.e. broccoli boxes. This product is highly energy efficient and fire retardant.

To minimise Paracombe’s footprint on the environment, grapes are sourced from local growers, wines are made, bottled, packaged and distributed direct from the winery.

Paul and Kathy will continue to seek new and innovative ways to contribute towards a cleaner and greener environment to ensure a better future for us all.