Protecting and enhancing water quality

At Whitehaven, protecting and enhancing water quality is a core part of how we grow grapes and make wine—because being good land stewards means looking after what flows through and beyond our boundaries.
That commitment starts with nature itself. Across our company land, we protect at least 50 hectares of wetlands and riparian margins—the living buffers that slow water down, filter sediment, and provide habitat for native biodiversity. These areas are the quiet workhorses of water quality: they catch what shouldn’t enter waterways and help keep ecosystems resilient, season after season.
We also focus on using less water, more intelligently. By deploying soil moisture probes on at least 50% of our land, we measure what the soil is actually holding—so irrigation is guided by evidence, not assumption. This precision approach ensures water is only added when it’s truly needed, helping reduce over-irrigation and protecting the natural balance of our soils.
From there, we’re advancing our systems to make every drop go further. Whitehaven is increasingly using sub-surface irrigation, a method designed to deliver water directly to the root zone where vines need it most. It helps reduce evaporation, avoids watering competing vegetation, and supports healthier, more efficient vine growth—all while minimizing the risk of runoff or unnecessary water loss.
Water quality stewardship also means taking responsibility for what leaves our operations. That’s why we treat wastewater before it is irrigated to land, and we’re improving its quality to a level where it can be safely irrigated or re-used on grape land. This approach closes the loop, reduces impact, and reflects a simple principle: if we use water, we must return it responsibly.
And because long-term change requires planning—not just good intentions—we are developing a full wetland plan for affected vineyard sites. It’s a blueprint for protection, enhancement, and ongoing care—ensuring the wetlands and margins that support water quality are managed with purpose and consistency.
At the Springs vineyard we are protecting unique water features. The property is an 'afforestation flow sensitive' site meaning that water coming from this land is considered important in supplying Marlborough's Wairau aquifer and river. Two significant natural areas have been identified on site; an inland saline wetland which is unique to any other site in New Zealand.