Cullen Wines Wilyabrup soil carbon project

The Cullen Wines Wilyabrup Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located in the renowned Wilyabrup wine region of Western Australia, approximately 25 kilometers north of Margaret River and 30 kilometers southwest of Busselton. Registered in June 2021, the project covers roughly 84 hectares of viticultural and pastoral land managed by Cullen Wines, a pioneer in biodynamic winemaking. The project is designed to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) by increasing soil organic carbon stocks within the vineyard and grazing areas.

The project operates under the "Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models" methodology. This framework requires the project proponent to establish a baseline of soil carbon levels through physical sampling, followed by the implementation of new land management activities to sequester additional carbon. Key activities employed by Cullen Wines include the sowing of multi-species cover crops (using up to 12 different species), crimping these crops to create mulch, and implementing high-density, short-duration rotational grazing. These practices are intended to maximize soil biological activity and vegetation cover, thereby drawing more carbon from the atmosphere into the soil profile.

The Wilyabrup region is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and wet winters, receiving high annual rainfall of approximately 1160mm. The local landscape is dominated by "Forest Grove" soils, distinctive ironstone gravels and gravelly sandy loams over clay, which are highly regarded for premium viticulture but also offer significant potential for carbon storage when managed regeneratively. The area's land use is primarily a mix of high-value vineyards, dairy farming, and cattle grazing.

Cullen Wines has integrated this project into its broader philosophy of "quality, integrity, and sustainability." The winery is certified biodynamic and has been recognized as "Carbon Negative" (sequestering more carbon than it emits) since 2019, largely due to soil carbon gains measured between 2014 and 2019. This registered project, supported by consultancy Carbon West and funding from the Western Australian Government’s Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program, formalizes these efforts to generate tradeable carbon credits.