This year our business turns 40, so it is natural that we take some time to reflect on our journey to date, and where we think we might be heading.  One of the things I am particularly proud of at the moment is the increasing attention we're paying to measuring and reducing our environmental footprint.  Running a business in a competitive market requires that many things are done well, and so we are always working hard at our 'business-as-usual' routine services, as well as a portfolio of projects aimed at expanding and improving our business.  As for any business, our key people generally have very little discretionary time, and there is always a list of things to do.  Spending time on environmental sustainability initiatives therefore requires deliberate thought and effort - time that needs to be carved out in an environment where time is of the essence. 

Essential trace elements and undesirable heavy metals can be introduced into wine through various parts of the wine making process from vine to vintage. This includes: geochemical composition of rocks and soil, trace elements from environmental pollution, the use of fertilisers and pesticides, contact of grape material with various materials used in winemaking, including stainless steel, different types of wooden barrels, glass bottles, and other equipment.

Determining the presence of earthworms in soil has become easier. Hill Labs is delighted to announce the release of our new earthworm eDNA (environmental DNA) test which detects the DNA of earthworms in soil. A first for New Zealand, this soil test provides an indication of one of the biological components of soil health.