Accolade Wines

Accolade Wines (now Vinarchy) engaged Factor UTB to undertake major improvements to the wastewater treatment system at its flagship facility, Berri Estates, located in the Riverland of South Australia. Berri Estates is recognised as the largest winery in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the largest globally, with a grape crush capacity exceeding 250,000 tonnes per annum. The site generates in excess of 400 ML of high-strength winery wastewater each year, with vintage flows regularly surpassing 2.6 ML/day. The works were delivered under a design and construct framework, structured into two distinct separable portions to manage capital outlay. The combined investment across both projects was approximately $14.6M.

Factor UTB’s approach incorporated reuse of significant existing infrastructure and tankage, providing both cost efficiency and programme certainty. Factor UTB was engaged following the failure of a prior contractor, whose inexperience in winery wastewater treatment had resulted in project outcomes that did not meet performance guarantees. The successful delivery of the Berri Estates project provided Accolade Wines with renewed confidence in Factor UTB’s capability. This led to further engagements by the company, including consultancy services at other winery sites within its portfolio and the design and construction of
smaller package treatment systems.