Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do here at Gemtree. Join us at Gemtree Wines for a unique event connecting sustainable wine and sustainable living.

We have been gifted the opportunity to work a unique patch of the earth in South Australia’s McLaren Vale and by respecting and nurturing this land we harvest high quality, flavourful grapes each and every vintage from vineyards farmed with care.

Not only do we farm biodynamically and organically, we also recycle everything we can from every aspect of the business, even our labels made from sugar cane waste. Any draining water from the winery is treated and put back onto the vineyards, vegetative waste from the winery is composted then put back out onto the vineyards. Old drip lines are also recycled.

Like the rest of our winery and vineyards, our Tasting Room has been purpose built to have minimal impact on the environment and is sustainably run. The Tasting Room was built using recycled materials, is powered by solar panels and uses only rainwater.

We do all of this for the improvement of our land, so we can pass its custodianship to the next generation in a better condition than we received it.

The experience we have tailormade for the Nature Festival incorporates a blend of our beliefs at Gemtree with the opportunity to share our knowledge and passion for nature and the environment.

The Sustainable Wine and Living Experience begins with a guided tour in the Gemtree Eco Trail, a biodiverse haven for native flora and fauna developed in partnership with Greening Australia, we will then make our way up to our sustainably built and run Tasting Room where our Environment and Certification Manager and guru, Jacqui Henderson, will guide you through our Native Garden and Biodynamic Hut.

Your experience will conclude on our Tasting Room deck, taking in the breathtaking views over a Native Tasting Plate and tasting flight of three organic and biodynamic wines - all over a conversation about implementing energy efficiencies at home with John Boland and Chris Bryant, two incredibly knowledgeable professionals in their fields.

The experience:

Guided walk of the Gemtree Eco Trail
Tour of the Gemtree Native Garden with our Environment and Certification Manager, Jacqui
Native Tasting Plate on the deck of our Tasting Room
Wine tasting flight of certified organic and biodynamic wines
An informative discussion with John Boland and Chris Bryant on ways to make your home more comfortable and implement energy efficiencies into your home

Our featured guests

John Boland is Professor of Environmental Mathematics and Deputy Director of the Industrial AI Research Centre at the University of South Australia. His research covers a wide range of areas in what can be termed environmental mathematics, from water resource management to renewable energy utilisation to energy efficient house design to environmental accounting. He is a Fellow of the Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand, and of the Australian Institute of Energy.

Chris Bryant is a qualified Permaculture Designer, and her background as a health professional combines well with permaculture principles to enhance her own and others’ health and comfort.

Together they live in a comfortable and energy efficient renovated 1940s weatherboard house and their garden where they grow 1/3 of their food and also acts as their air conditioning system. They have featured on Gardening Australia in a segment entitled Mediterranean Mindset. They also manage a private conservation park at Monarto, fully heritage listed, where they have a Biodiversity Credit Scheme grant to enhance the biodiversity over the next ten years.

John and Chris are two incredibly knowledgeable professionals (and Gemtree Wine Club Members) who are passionate about sharing their expertise in making your home more comfortable and energy efficient.

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