When bushfires raged across part of the Adelaide Hills in 2019/20, Howard Vineyards was hit substantially.

But under the leadership of Northcott, the business was able to turn things around by doing one simple thing: asking for help.

Community support swept in and the business recovered.

Northcott ensured lessons were learnt from this, and now the company has even higher expectations for its top-tier grapes used in its drops and by winemaker clients.

Restoration is ongoing, but Northcott is leading the charge to ensure regeneration is done sustainably, organically and with a diverse range of grapes.

On presenting the Sustainable Business Leaders Award to Northcott at the 40 Under 40 gala event last week, Solstice Media’s editorial director Jim Plouffe said that when thinking of sustainable businesses people often only think of companies that have sustainable business practices, not organisations actually putting sustainability into action through viticulture practices.

“As the Business Insight sustainable leader winner, Northcott has truly put his words into action,” Plouffe said.

“This has helped his business literally rise from the ashes in a way that will ensure it will be stronger and more resilient in the future.”

Business Insight, the free weekly business news from InDaily, features local businesses, both large and small, as well as curating business advice and other news.