Tyrrell’s set a target in September 2009:

To reduce our “total energy usage per dozen wines produced” by up to 20% over the next 5 years.

Our performance to date over the first 2 years of our EMS program shows we are well on track towards this target, with an 11% reduction in our total electricity usage per dozen wines produced over this time period. This equates to almost 500 tonnes less carbon emissions than 2 years ago.

Please read on to see some of the initiatives we have implemented to achieve this result.

Refrigeration

Refrigeration is probably the biggest energy consuming sector of most Australian wineries.

Tyrrell’s runs a very economical refrigeration system by maintaining cooling water temperatures of between 6 and 8°C. (Many wineries run a refrigerated brine system to recirculate the cooling liquid at temperatures a few degrees below zero). Tyrrell’s system therefore uses far less energy.

On top of this, Tyrrells recently installed 4 x Variable Speed Drive (VSD) pumps to recirculate our cooling water. These VSD pumps are far more efficient than normal pumps, with measured energy savings of 60% compared to the previous pumps.

Air Conditioning

We have been progressively upgrading our air conditioners and air cooling units in our warehouses and barrel sheds to run more efficiently. Units have now either been replaced or upgraded with thermostats to ensure they are only ever running when absolutely necessary.

Packaging

Tyrrell’s was one of the first wineries in Australia to start bottling with the new environmentally friendly “Lean and Green” lightweight bottles, manufactured by Owens Illinois Australia.
These bottles are 30 - 40% lighter in weight than the bottles they have replaced, with around 150 grams less glass in every bottle, thus contributing to far less greenhouse gas emissions during their production and their transportation to and from our winery.

Approximately 75% of Tyrrell’s wines are now produced in this lightweight bottle range, thus marking a significant contribution by Tyrrell’s towards reduction in carbon emissions.