De Bortoli Wines

The De Bortoli project vision

The De Bortoli team have a vision to become a zero-waste winery
To support these ambitious goals, they began to investigate renewable energy
They were also looking to reduce their operational costs.

A renewable energy solution

100kW ground-mounted solar PV system
Strategically installed next to the Dixons Creek restaurant
The system provides reliable, renewable energy during peak daytime hours.

Impactful results

$40,000 annual savings, freeing up resources to further invest in their zero-waste initiatives.
60% energy bill reduction; the solar PV system now powers a substantial portion of winery operations
Annual emissions reductions of 139 metric tonnes of CO2-e (the approximate equivalent of taking 33 cars off the road).

Powering a zero waste, green winery vision

In their pursuit of becoming a zero-waste green winery, De Bortoli Wines recognised the need to overhaul their energy usage as part of their broader sustainability efforts. Faced with rising energy costs and the pressing challenge of climate change, the team sought a solution that would not only reduce their carbon footprint but also support their ambitious environmental goals.

Wineries face a seasonal energy challenge where the intense electricity demand during harvest and pressing season leads to high peak demand charges that affect costs year-round. With energy expenses making up around 15% of total operating costs, managing electricity efficiently is crucial. The real burden comes from demand charges, which can account for up to 42% of total electricity expenses. Without proper energy management, wineries end up paying for these peak loads long after harvest ends, impacting profitability.

De Bortoli green winery. Sustainable wines are on the rise.

De Bortoli’s $40,000 annual savings

To advance their sustainable wine journey, De Bortoli Wines collaborated with Acacia Energy to install a renewable energy system that would significantly lower their dependence on grid electricity. The installation of a 100 kW ground-mounted solar PV system was a key step towards achieving their vision of becoming a zero waste green winery, allowing them to cut energy costs and reduce environmental impact simultaneously.

De Bortoli is a member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia and have won multiple awards for their sustainability efforts, including The Australian Business Sustainability Award, Green Globes Excellence in Sustainability, NSW Business Chamber State Award for Excellence in Sustainability, and the Tidy Towns Sustainable Business Award.

The Acacia Energy Solution

Strategically installed next to the Dixons Creek restaurant, the 100kW solar PV system installed by Acacia Energy provides reliable, renewable energy during peak daytime hours, aligning perfectly with the winery’s operational needs and sustainability goals.

In the first year of operation, the solar solution delivered by Acacia Energy provided significant benefits, including:

60% reduction in grid energy usage – the solar PV system now powers a substantial portion of the winery’s operations
$40,000 annual savings – freeing up resources to further invest in their zero-waste initiatives.
Reduction of 139 metric tonnes of CO2 emission per year – that’s the approximate equivalent of taking 33 cars off the road.

By aligning their energy practices with their environmental values, De Bortoli have demonstrated that it’s possible to achieve both financial savings and sustainability, setting a powerful example in the sustainable winemaking industry.

Helping wineries go green

Acacia Energy works with wineries around Australia to help reduce peak demand costs, improve energy security and reduce energy costs by up to 60%. Using a variety of renewable technologies, we can help your business achieve energy independence and unlock passive revenue streams.

Interested in starting your journey to become a green winery? Get in touch with us today.