Sustainability and Organic Winemaking

our sustainability practices

At Small Wonder, sustainability isn’t a slogan, it’s a series of conscious decisions made with care, season by season, vine by vine. We are a small estate with a big commitment to doing things better for the vines, the land, the community, and the wines we produce.

sustainability

Our Organic Approach.

We farm organically, and our Tamar Valley vineyard is certified by Australian Certified Organic (ACO 13305), while our Coal River Valley vineyard is currently in transition to certified organic. In the Tamar Valley, where cool-climate conditions can make organic viticulture especially challenging, this certification isn’t just symbolic, it’s proof of our dedication. Our vineyard team relies on detailed canopy management, from pruning in winter to careful shoot and bunch thinning in summer, combined with precision viticulture to reduce disease pressure without synthetic intervention.

We follow regenerative principles to increase biodiversity, monitor and manage soil health with targeted compost and mineral applications, and foster resilience in our vines. We’re not prescriptive, but practical: guided by objectives of long-term soil vitality, measurable vine health and wine quality.

Inside the red fermentation hall of our Tamar Valley winery in Northern Tasmania, with rows of our open top fermenters.

Inside The Winery.

Our winery was designed with energy efficiency in mind. A 60kW solar array powers up to half of our energy needs, while a central glycol cooling system and passive temperature design reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.

Wastewater is treated onsite using native vegetation dispersal beds, and we’re in the early stages of composting our organic grape waste to close the loop and return nutrients to the soil.

Packaging & Materials

Our bottles are lighter by design, reducing transport emissions. Label stocks are FSC-certified, and packaging materials are recyclable wherever possible. In our built environment, we favour long-life, low-impact materials from Colorbond steel to locally sourced Tasmanian bluestone.

Community & Connection

We employ local people, source local products in the Cellar Door, and work with Tasmanian contractors and creatives wherever possible. As we grow, so will our structure for giving back through partnerships, programs, fundraising events, and projects that are aligned with our values.