Landmark sustainability initiatives across Western Australian regions signal a major step forward for the future of WA wine
Summary:
- WoWA has launched a suite of sustainability and climate resilience initiatives through the Western Australian Wine Sustainability Advancement Program (WAWSAP).
- While much of the activity focuses on the two main regions, Sustainability Certification Support will occur in all regions (except peri-urban as per RfR requirements).
- Six demonstration sites across Margaret River and the Great Southern will deliver water security, biodiversity and riparian rehabilitation projects with regional partners and wine producers.
- Margaret River Senior High School is participating in the program, connecting students with hands-on sustainability initiatives.
- The Wine Forward program will help WA wine businesses future-proof operations through climate risk analysis and adaptation planning.
- Sustainability Certification Support Vouchers will support producers pursuing or maintaining recognised sustainability certification.
- Together, the projects aim to strengthen environmental stewardship, climate resilience and the long-term competitiveness of the WA wine industry.
Western Australia’s wine industry is taking a major step forward in protecting its landscapes, waterways and long-term future, with a series of collaborative sustainability and climate resilience initiatives now underway across the state’s wine regions through the Western Australian Wine Sustainability Advancement Program (WAWSAP).
Led by Wines of Western Australia (WoWA), the initiatives bring together wine producers, regional natural resource management organisations, schools, climate specialists and industry leaders in a coordinated effort to strengthen biodiversity, water security, sustainability certification and climate resilience across the WA wine sector.
At the centre of the program is Enhancing Water Security and Biodiversity through Dam and Riparian Rehabilitation, a landmark project establishing six demonstration sites across Margaret River and the Great Southern.
Delivered in partnership with Nature Conservation Margaret River Region and South Coast Natural Resource Management, the project brings together demonstration sites at:
- Xanadu Wines,
- Island Brook Estate
- Margaret River Senior High School
- Frankland Estate,
- Shepherds Hut Wines
- Alkoomi Estate
‘Alkoomi has placed a strong focus on rehabilitation and long-term sustainability of the natural environment and we are subsequently very proud to be a part of this amazing initiative established by Wines of WA. With growing concerns for water supply, salinity and rehabilitation of the native bush land within our area, this project is an essential first step to maximise the potential of existing water resources and riparian zones. A successful pilot would allow the region to build a more sustainable future for the environment in which we are fortunate enough to farm.’ Laura & Tim Penniment.
Across the six sites, tailored on-ground works are being co-designed between WoWA, regional NRM delivery partners and landholders. Depending on the property, works may include ecological monitoring, revegetation using locally sourced native species, weed control, fencing, instream habitat improvements and low-flow bypass works designed to support downstream ecology and long-term water security.
Each site will also develop a Biodiversity Stewardship Plan, creating practical and publicly accessible case studies that can help guide other WA producers looking to strengthen environmental outcomes on their own properties.
The project reflects a growing recognition across the WA wine industry that environmental stewardship and premium wine production go hand in hand.
As South Coast Natural Resource Management Executive Manager Operations Alex Hams explains, “Great wine and healthy ecosystems are not competing interests. In the Great Southern, they depend on each other.
“Working with wine producers to enhance key water infrastructure on their properties and demonstrate the benefits for water quality, water security and biodiversity is a prime example of how enhanced natural asset management can deliver big benefits. This is what practical sustainability looks like: industry, conservation and community working together at a regional scale for the benefit of our economy, environment and future generations.”
The involvement of Margaret River Senior High School has been particularly encouraging, bringing students directly into one of the state’s most significant sustainability initiatives and connecting the future of WA wine with the next generation of regional custodians.
Wine Forward
Alongside biodiversity and water security works, WAWSAP is also helping producers prepare for future climate pressures through Wine Forward – Climate Resilience and Adaptation, an innovative climate resilience initiative delivered in partnership with climate-tech company ClimAdapt.
ClimAdapt Founder Isidora Bianchi shares “What excites us most about Wine Forward is the ambition behind it. Working alongside WoWA and four pioneering wine businesses, we’re delivering climate risk and carbon intelligence at the scale where it actually counts — the individual vineyard block. The regional benchmarking dataset that Phase 1 begins to build will give WA producers a shared, evidence-based foundation for adaptation planning that no single business could create alone. This is what practical climate resilience looks like for agriculture.”
The program connects with diverse wine businesses Fairbrossen Wines, Vasse Felix and Overstory in Margaret River and West Cape Howe from the Great Southern to deliver
- vineyard-block level climate risk analysis,
- carbon footprint assessments and
- practical adaptation planning designed to help producers make confident long-term business decisions in a changing climate.
Unlike traditional climate reporting, the program combines advanced climate modelling, satellite-based soil intelligence and AI-driven crop vulnerability assessments to provide producers with practical decision-support tools for vineyard management, investment planning and future market positioning.
Paul McArdle from Overstory commented: “Overstory was interested in the Wine Forward Climate Resilience Program as it provided a scientific/practical approach to having insight into our site-specific requirements and provided an opportunity to have an understanding where climate risk sits in our operation. It will hopefully provide guidance and improved confidence in our long-term vineyard and CAPEX decisions.”
WAWSAP is also supporting producers through the launch of Project 2a: Sustainability Certification Support Vouchers, a practical initiative designed to help WA wine businesses accelerate their sustainability journey and strengthen long-term market competitiveness.
Through the program, eligible wine businesses and grapegrowers can access $1,500 vouchers to support first-time sustainability certification, certification maintenance or on-ground sustainability improvement projects aligned with recognised certification standards. The initiative also aims to build a stronger network of certified WA producers through peer learning, benchmarking and regional knowledge-sharing opportunities.
With sustainability credentials increasingly shaping market access, export opportunities and consumer expectations, the voucher program is designed to ensure WA producers can compete not only on quality, but on demonstrated environmental leadership and climate resilience.
Together, the projects represent a major investment in the resilience of the WA wine industry, protecting natural assets while supporting the long-term sustainability of regional communities. Field days, workshops and case studies will share learnings across the sector and encourage broader producer participation in sustainability and climate resilience initiatives.
WAWSAP is a $9,005,090 consortium initiative bringing together nine partner organisations over three years, running from September 2025 to March 2028.
About WAWSAP
The Western Australian Wine Sustainability Advancement Program (WAWSAP) is a nine-partner consortium initiative led by Wines of Western Australia and supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust.
The establishment of WAWSAP has been enabled by the Western Australian Wine Industry Partnership, an industry-led initiative supported by the WA Government. The WAWSAP is playing a key enabling role in delivering the Wine Industry Partnership’s Sustainability Strategy.
The program delivers integrated projects focused on water security, biodiversity, sustainability certification and climate resilience across WA wine regions.
See additional quotes from participants and program partners here
Find out more on our website here
Media contact
Eloise Jarvis
Sustainability and Industry Development Program Manager
Wines of Western Australia
[email protected] | 0447 587 151
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