Sherwood Estates is a certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. This is further evidence of the motivation to create a socially, environmentally, and economically resilient business. Developing a pathway to sustainable excellence creates value and security for now and future generations of grape growers and winemakers. It ensures that eco-conscious wine consumers around the world can enjoy exceptional wine and be confident that the welfare of communities and the environment have been sensitively considered.

In 2011, brothers Brett, Andrew and Philip Proud consolidated their independent vineyard businesses into one Collaborative Farming Venture, introducing a corporate business structure to optimise farming operations. The vineyard has expanded to 200 hectares and family succession challenges were met with the employment of the next Proud family generation. The principle of separating asset ownership from operations proved crucial with the unexpected death of Philip in 2017. Sherwood Estates safeguarded his family’s vineyard assets by continuing the vineyard operations. Today, it is the younger members of the Proud family that drive the innovative technology that has taken quality winegrape growing in the Riverland to the next level.

Sherwood Estates is a founding shareholder of RivaWine Collaboration P/L, which has brought together like-minded wine grape growing families in the Riverland of South Australia. The shared goals are to sustainably produce the best wine grapes and wine for domestic and global markets. All RivaWine families share a professional, customer-focussed approach with a commitment to continuous improvement.

At the heart of Sherwood Estates’ operations lies a technology-driven approach, where cutting-edge innovations take centre stage. Their business structure is meticulously designed to facilitate a continuous assessment of production efficiencies, allowing for the frequent implementation of equipment and technological advancements to harness the full potential of operational data-driven decision-making.

Key elements of this technological forefront include plant sensors that continuously transmit real-time grapevine health data, precise harvest yield mapping, and an annual prescription nutrition application. These technological solutions stand as the backbone of Sherwood Estates’ commitment to consistently producing high-quality wine grapes.

Sherwood Estates places a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship and sustainability. Given their region’ annual rainfall of under 300mm, they are dedicated to the responsible use of water resources. To achieve this, they employ plant sensors and computer-controlled drip irrigation systems, meticulously optimising water usage to minimise waste.

In their commitment to eco-conscious viticulture, Sherwood Estates also utilises drought-tolerant rootstocks, promoting a low-impact approach that yields exceptional wine grapes. Further enhancing their environmental efforts, they implement mid-row cover crops, apply biochar, and use under-vine mulch. In addition, their on-site production of worm tea fosters higher soil biodiversity and elevates organic carbon levels in the soil, ultimately mitigating grapevine moisture stress and contributing to a healthier, more sustainable ecosystem.

Sherwood Estates takes nutrition care to the next level by collaborating with renowned industry leaders to develop highly customised spray and plant nutrition programs. These programs are meticulously tailored to ensure that every aspect of their vineyards receives the exact nourishment it needs for optimal growth and grape quality.

Their commitment to nutrition goes hand in hand with their dedication to sustainability. Through the amalgamation of advanced technology and rigorous on-farm testing, Sherwood Estates continues to refine and enhance their viticultural practices, making them progressively more sustainable with each passing year.

Sherwood Estates stands at the forefront of the industry, renowned for its winegrapes that are highly sought after by winemakers for their remarkable varietal authenticity and unwavering consistency. They exclusively provide their grapes to numerous domestic and international wine labels.

The primary grape varieties at Sherwood Estates encompass Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz. In addition, they also offer an array of Mediterranean varieties such as Bianco d’Alessano, Fiano, and Negroamaro, as well as introducing new Merlot clones into their vineyards.

To surpass the expectations of winemakers, Sherwood Estates leverages cutting-edge agricultural technology, ensuring the highest level of efficiency while adhering to Sustainable Winemaking Australia audit standards.