Wine: Kaimira's innovation scoops top nod

The top sustainability performers in the central and southern regions of New Zealand were recognised at a ceremony in Wellington last month and Kaimira Estate Wines from Nelson was the Supreme Winner.

Kaimira Estate wines are CarboNZero certified and the judges were impressed with how sustainability is embedded in every aspect of their business.

Kaimira's sustainability measures include sheep grazing the entire property instead of using chemical weed killers.

Using sheep to graze a vineyard is nothing new, in fact you'll be able to hear the pitter-patter of little hoofprints on vineyards the length and breadth of the country.

On one hand, there's the benefit of spreading natural fertiliser between the vines, but there's also the added bonus of not having to use heavy mowing equipment, which can impede root development and soil health by compacting the surrounding earth; plus there's all those nasty exhaust emissions.

Besides which I'd much rather hear the gentle baa-ing of sheep than the drone of a tractor any day.