Bottled with Intention: A South Australian Winery Doing Things Differently

I was sitting at Jennie Wine Bar, one of those places where you can feel the love for good wine the moment you walk in. The kind of spot where the staff don’t just pour you a drink—they want to chat about it, share what makes it special, and maybe even convince you to try something you wouldn’t normally pick. That’s what I love about Adelaide. There’s a real passion in the hospitality industry here—a pride in local produce, in good food, in telling the stories behind what’s in your glass.

That night, my glass held a Forage Supply Co Heavy Thinker Shiraz. It was delicate, smooth, and exactly what I love in a red—dry, with just a hint of fruit, and not too heavy. But when I casually asked about it, I got more than just tasting notes. The bartender lit up, telling me about this small winery in the Barossa doing things differently—organic, vegan, preservative-free, and on a mission to create real change.

A quick Google search later, and I was hooked. Forage Supply Co wasn’t just making wine; they were building school gardens, creating job opportunities for people experiencing homelessness, and even working on sustainable housing projects. Their tagline? “Smallest impact on the environment. Greatest impact on the community.”

The next day, I was on my way to the Barossa Valley to meet Scott Rogash, one of the co-founders, to find out more.

As Scott took me on a tour of the winery, we chatted about how a passion for sustainability turned into a business with purpose, the lessons they’ve learned along the way, and why they believe wine should do more than just fill a glass.

Your tagline is “Smallest impact on the environment. Greatest impact on the community.” That’s a big statement. How does this philosophy shape what you do, from winemaking to your community projects?

It really is the guiding principle behind everything we do. When we started Forage Supply Co, we knew we didn’t want to just make wine—we wanted to use wine as a platform to do something bigger. In the vineyard and in the winery, we’re always asking how we can tread lighter: from minimal intervention in the winemaking process to how we package and transport our wines. At the same time, we’re deeply committed to our community. Every bottle helps fund our initiatives like housing for people experiencing homelessness, and it’s this balance—doing good for the planet and good for people—that drives every decision we make.

Sustainability in wine is becoming more of a talking point, but you’ve been ahead of the curve. What makes Forage Supply Co’s wines different in terms of sustainability—whether that’s in the vineyard, production, or packaging?

We’ve built sustainability into our business model from day one, not just as a buzzword but as a way of life. In the vineyard, we work with growers who share our commitment to organic and regenerative practices—using minimal chemicals and focusing on soil health and biodiversity. In the winery, we use minimal intervention methods, often working without added preservatives, and we changed our bottle to lightweight glass and use recyclable materials wherever we can. Even our deliveries aim to reduce carbon emissions by batching orders and working with conscious freight partners. It’s all about making small, consistent choices that add up to a big difference.

I first discovered your Shiraz at Jennie Wine Bar in Adelaide, and what really got me was that it’s preservative-free. For those who don’t know, why does that matter? And have you noticed more people looking for low-intervention wines?

Great spot to discover it! More and more people are looking for wines that are not only delicious but also align with their values—clean, honest, and made with intention. Preservative-free wines are important because they’re often better tolerated by people who are sensitive to sulfites, and they reflect a more natural approach to winemaking. Our Heavy Thinker Shiraz, Caveman – Carignan, and Pooch PF are all preservative-free, made without the addition of sulfur throughout the winemaking process. It’s a little riskier from a production standpoint, but we think it results in wines that are vibrant, alive, and truly expressive of place.

You’re not just making wine—you’re also working on some incredible community projects. Your most recent is the sustainable housing—can you tell me more about that?

Definitely. We’ve always believed that business should be a force for good. Our sustainable housing project is focused on providing long-term, eco-friendly housing solutions for people experiencing homelessness. We partner with local organisations to build small-scale, modular homes using sustainable materials, and we’re creating pathways to employment through the building process as well. It’s not just about putting a roof over someone’s head—it’s about creating dignity, community, and a chance to rebuild. We have build our prototype and working with a local community to hopefully work on a live project later on in the year.

One of the biggest sustainability challenges in the wine industry is waste. How is Forage Supply Co tackling that issue? Any unique initiatives that set you apart?

Absolutely—it’s a huge issue, from vineyard to bottle. We’re constantly looking for ways to reduce waste across every touchpoint. That includes composting grape skins and stems after pressing, reusing materials in packaging, and even repurposing barrels and tanks when possible. One thing we’re especially proud of is our closed-loop approach to packaging: encouraging customers and stockists to recycle or reuse our bottles and shipping materials. We’re also looking at bulk wine options for some partners to reduce packaging waste even further.

You’ve personally traveled a lot and seen different approaches to sustainability around the world. What’s something you learned overseas that influenced how you run Forage Supply Co today?

Travel definitely opened my eyes to just how interconnected everything is. One thing that really stuck with me was seeing how some European growers treat their vineyards like gardens—living ecosystems, not just production zones. That inspired us to work more closely with growers who care deeply about regenerative agriculture and biodiversity. I also saw how some winemakers integrated social enterprise into their model in a way that felt seamless, and that gave me the confidence to make our community work a core part of what we do—not just an add-on.

Looking at the big picture, what do you think needs to change in the wine industry to become more sustainable? Are there any practices you wish more wineries would adopt?

There’s still too much focus on tradition for tradition’s sake, even when it’s not sustainable. I’d love to see more wineries embracing alternative packaging—like cans, lightweight bottles, and refillable options—to cut down on carbon emissions. I also think the industry needs to rethink monoculture and move toward more regenerative farming methods that care for the land long-term. And finally, collaboration—more shared resources and transparency around sustainable practices would help move the industry forward faster.

For someone picking up a bottle of Forage Supply Co wine for the first time, what do you hope they take away from the experience?

First and foremost, we want them to enjoy it—to have a great moment with great wine. But beyond that, I hope they feel connected to something bigger. Every bottle tells a story: of sustainable farming, thoughtful winemaking, and community impact. I want people to know that by choosing our wine, they’re supporting a business that’s trying to do things differently—for the planet, and for people.

I can personally vouch for how good your wine is—but for those who haven’t tried it yet and are interested, what’s the best way to get their hands on a bottle? Can they order online, and what’s special about your wine club?

Thanks so much! Easiest way is through our website www.foragesupplyco.co where we ship direct across Australia. We also have a wine club that’s a little different. It’s not just about discounts (though there are those too)—it’s about being part of the movement. Members get early access to limited releases, invites to events, and updates on the community projects they’re helping support. It’s wine with purpose, and we’re stoked to share it.