Accessibility and Inclusion Statement

At Ridgemill Estate, we are deeply committed to sustainability and continuously strive to integrate environmentally responsible practices into all aspects of our winery and accommodation operations. Our sustainability philosophy is built around three core principles: reducing our environmental impact, supporting our local community, and enhancing visitor awareness of sustainable practices.

Environmental Stewardship

We implement numerous strategies to minimize our ecological footprint, conserve resources, and operate in harmony with the natural environment. These include:

• Renewable Energy: Our 36kW solar farm provides the majority of our electricity needs during daylight hours, with excess energy returned to the grid. We continue to explore battery storage solutions to maximize our renewable energy usage.
• Water Conservation: All roof areas are connected to water tanks to capture rainwater for use throughout the property. We also operate onsite treatment plants, ensuring wastewater is not discharged into rivers or streams but is instead repurposed for irrigation.
• Energy Efficiency: Our buildings feature high levels of insulation, LED lighting, and designs that balance natural and artificial lighting to reduce energy consumption.
• Sustainable Waste Management: We compost green waste from wine production for vineyard and garden use, and our two-stage recycling system ensures efficient separation of waste at both guest and staff levels.
• Eco-friendly Transport: Electric golf carts are used by staff for movement across our 40-acre property, reducing emissions from fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

Local and Ethical Sourcing

We prioritize supporting local businesses and sourcing regional products to reduce transport emissions and foster economic sustainability within our community. Our initiatives include:

• A ‘buy local’ policy with a 5% tolerance for higher costs, ensuring local suppliers are preferred for property maintenance, white goods, and food supplies.
• Collaborations with local farmers and producers to stock regional meats, cheeses, apple juice, milk, and bread in our Cellar Door.
• Local printing for merchandise, promotional materials, and wine packaging.
• Employing 95% local staff, with seasonal employment opportunities for international visitors during vintage.

Community Engagement and Support

Ridgemill Estate actively contributes to the social and economic fabric of our region by:

• Partnering with local businesses through our Regional Partners program, offering accommodation packages that include vouchers for local cafés, bakeries, and restaurants.
• Hosting biweekly Soiree events featuring local food trucks and musicians.
• Sponsoring and participating in local events such as the Apple and Grape Festival, Snowflakes in Stanthorpe, and Grazing the Granite Belt.
• Supporting local charities and fundraising initiatives, including donations of wine and accommodation vouchers for community events, major fundraising efforts for LifeFlight, and contributions to individuals in need due to illness or accidents.
• Owners, Martin and Michelle, volunteering on the boards of key local organizations such as the Queensland Wine Industry Association and the Stanthorpe and Granite Belt Chamber of Commerce.

Future Goals

Our sustainability journey is ongoing, and we are committed to achieving Eco-certification by 2025. To reach this goal, we will continue to refine our energy efficiency practices, explore carbon footprint calculations, enhance waste management initiatives, and further integrate sustainable agriculture techniques into our vineyard operations.

At Ridgemill Estate, sustainability is not just an initiative—it’s a way of life. By continuously improving our environmental and social responsibility efforts, we strive to create an enduring and positive impact on our guests, our community, and the planet.