AUSTRALIA: BRL Hardy faces pollution charges
Australian wine group BRL Hardy faces a penalty of A$840,000 (US$460,000) for allegedly dumping winery effluent along the banks of a River Murray tributary. BRL Hardy prides itself as an industry leader in environmental care and has made the issue the focus of its highly successful Banrock Station brand, which is based on vineyards along the Murray surrounded by rehabilitated and protected wetlands. Some of the proceeds of Banrock Station wines go towards landcare projects.