Australia's first ECO Certified winery experience announced on the Central Coast
In a nation-wide first, Firescreek Botanical Winery on the NSW Central Coast has just successfully achieved ECO Certification with peak-body Ecotourism Australia!
Now Australia’s first official ECO Certified winery experience, Firescreek Botanical Winery is thrilled to celebrate this announcement, recognising its commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship on the Central Coast of New South Wales.
This prestigious certification underscores Firescreek Botanical Winery's dedication to preserving the natural beauty of the Central Coast while offering exceptional experiences to its visitors. Based in a certified ECO Destination, this achievement illustrates a region-wide effort to meet the increasing expectation of best-practice sustainable tourism experiences.
Located in the picturesque village of Holgate on the Central Coast, Firescreek Botanical Winery is renowned for its unique and handcrafted wines made from a variety of fruits, flowers, and botanicals. Committed to sustainability, the winery combines traditional winemaking techniques with innovative agricultural practices to produce wines that are as environmentally friendly as they are delicious.
“We are incredibly proud to receive this ecotourism certification. This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to sustainability and our passion for protecting the environment. We believe that by practicing sustainable agriculture and following permaculture principles, we can create a positive impact on our community and inspire others to do the same.”
- Nadia O’Connell, Owner Firescreek Botanical Winery
Owner Nadia, of Firescreek Botanical Winery, providing a high quality ecotourism experience.
Image: Remy Brand x Destination Central Coast
Image: Remy Brand x Destination Central Coast
The Central Coast celebrates this Australian first for its ecotourism community
The region's ECO Destination journey is led by Eco Advocates
Firescreek Botanical Winery practices organic farming, avoiding synthetic chemicals and pesticides to maintain a healthy ecosystem. Integrating permaculture principles, the winery creates a resilient agricultural system that enhances soil fertility, conserves water, and supports local wildlife.
Guided tours at the winery also serve to educate visitors about sustainable farming and organic agriculture, reflecting the winery’s dedication to eco-conscious practices.
ECO Certification assesses businesses, through third party auditing, against Ecotourism Australia’s internationally recognised ecotourism standard across the four pillars of sustainability: environmental, cultural, and socio-economic impact and sustainable business operations. This recognition by Ecotourism Australia underscores Firescreek Botanical Winery’s commitment to globally recognised best-practice standards and highlights their leadership in eco and sustainable tourism.
Achieving ECO Certification status for their business means that being a guest with Firescreek Botanical Winery guarantees you're part of a genuine and authentic tourism experience that looks after the environment, rather than harming it.
And now it’s official – they’re certified and in the global Green Travel Guide! Read on to see what Firescreek offer guests seeking to enjoy a sustainable wine tasting experience.
“Firescreek Botanical Winery is the first winery in Australia to be awarded ECO Certification. Achieving global standard certification is a testament to their dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship. This milestone not only highlights the national leadership as the first ECO certified winery in Australia but also reinforces the Central Coast’s status as a committed ECO Certified Destination.”
- Ms Elissa Keenan, Chief Executive Officer, Ecotourism Australia
Guests can book unique cellar door experience, including a special Foraging and Mixology tour.
Image: Remy Brand x Destination Central Coast
Image: Remy Brand x Destination Central Coast
Image: Isaac Tseng x Destination Central Coast
The Chocolate & Wine Pairing experience features a collaboration with Firescreek and local Central Coast chocolatier, Luka Chocolates.
Image: Isaac Tseng x Destination Central Coast
Image: Isaac Tseng x Destination Central Coast
What experiences does Firescreek Botanical Winery offer visitors?
And how can you book them...
In addition to offering complimentary cellar door wine tastings with takeaway wine sales from Wednesday to Sundays, Firescreek Botanical Winery also offer you a range of special bookable experiences, each with their own flavour profile:
🍷 The Winemaker’s Secret Garden Tour - An eco warriors way to winemaking.
🍷 Foraging & Mixology - Flipping the cellar door experience so that guests can pick and create their own spritzers, decorated with edible flowers and organically grown flora they’ve hand-picked in the gardens at the winery.
🍷 Chocolate & Wine Pairing - A decadent pairing served in the stunning gardens featuring a collaboration with local Central Coast chocolatier, Luka Chocolates.
🍷 Aboriginal Storytelling & Wine Tasting Experience - Storytelling with an Aboriginal Elder and wine tasting with the winemaker, including tastings of Indigenous native plants grown on the property that are used as ingredients in the winemaking process.
🍷 Group wine tastings (advance booking required).
🍷 Wedding ceremonies and photography in the award-winning garden.
🍷 Free regular community events such as the Monthly Matcham / Holgate Produce Share, and the Annual Easter Egg Hunt.
Book your sustainable winery experience now, direct with the business
Winemaker Nadia of Firescreek Botanical Winery working with nature in her organic garden.
Image: Remy Brand x Destination Central Coast
Image: Remy Brand x Destination Central Coast
Image: Isaac Tseng x Destination Central Coast
Authentic, high-quality sustainable experiences
What it looks like to be an ECO Certified winery
We couldn't be prouder of this exciting milestone for the Firescreek Botanical Winery team! Read on to find out the details of how ECO Certification best practice is now a key part of the guest experience, and that going 'eco' is a long-term labour of love, making this green accolade is just the start of an ongoing journey…
Sustainable agriculture and organic growth
At the heart of Firescreek Botanical Winery’s operations is a deep-seated commitment to sustainable agriculture. The winery meticulously follows organic farming practices, ensuring that no synthetic chemicals or pesticides are used in the cultivation of its diverse range of botanicals from which they use to make wine. By fostering a healthy and vibrant ecosystem, Firescreek ensures that the land on which they operate becomes improved year on year.
Permaculture principles in action
Firescreek Botanical Winery integrates permaculture principles into its farming practices, creating a self-sustaining and resilient agricultural system. This approach emphasizes the use of natural resources, promotes biodiversity, and minimises waste. By designing the winery’s landscape to mimic natural ecosystems, Firescreek enhances soil fertility, conserves water, and supports local wildlife.
A model for eco-friendly tourism
Achieving ecotourism certification highlights Firescreek Botanical Winery’s role as a leader in eco-friendly tourism on the Central Coast. Visitors to the winery can enjoy guided tours that educate them about sustainable farming practices, the importance of biodiversity, and the benefits of organic agriculture. Firescreek’s commitment to the environment extends to every aspect of its operations, from eco-conscious packaging to energy-efficient facilities.
Future initiatives and community engagement
Looking ahead, Firescreek Botanical Winery plans to further its sustainability efforts by introducing additional eco-friendly initiatives. These include expanding its organic gardens, implementing renewable energy solutions, and increasing community engagement through educational workshops and events focused on sustainability and environmental awareness.
Owner Nadia managing the on-site garden that produces award-winning wines.
Image: Isaac Tseng x Destination Central Coast
Image: Isaac Tseng x Destination Central Coast
Image: Isaac Tseng x Destination Central Coast
Image: Isaac Tseng x Destination Central Coast
Congratulations to the Central Coast's Eco Advocate community!
Firescreek Botanical Winery are the 9th successful Central Coast business to achieve their ECO Certification as a participant on the award-winning ‘Eco Advocate’ industry incentive program, supported by Destination Central Coast and delivered in partnership with Ecotourism Australia. The ECO Destination certification program aims to drive understanding of sustainable tourism principles across the entire region’s visitor economy and continues to grow from strength to strength.
Huge congratulations to Firescreek Botanical Winery for promoting sustainable practices on the Central Coast of New South Wales! We expect to hear more about their contribution to respectful, nature-based experiences in future as their business continues to lead the way for sustainable winemaking working with, and inspired by, nature.
Get to know more about Firescreek Botanical Winery by visiting their dedicated Love Central Coast page, and finding out about their latest cellar door experiences via their website.
Discover more about ecotourism on the Central Coast by wandering over to explore our destination guide to Eco Adventures here!
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Do you run a nature-based business or cultural experiences on the Central Coast and want to become more sustainable? We'd love to support your journey to ECO Certification. Simply contact us via email with your request to find out more, message us directly on our socials, or jump on our radar by creating a free Central Coast business listing here.
Don't forget – when sharing your love for local on the Central Coast, tag #LoveCentralCoast and mention us on Instagram and Facebook.