Nestled in the heart of the Helderberg, Waterford Estate spans 120 hectares, but we’ve made a conscious choice to farm only 50 hectares of it.
The remaining 70 hectares?
They’re dedicated to preserving the natural flora and fauna of the Western Cape, ensuring that our vineyards grow harmoniously with nature.
We’re incredibly proud to be among the 55 wineries awarded the Conservation Champions Award by the World Wide Fund for Nature. This recognition underscores our efforts to protect biodiversity and support our natural ecosystem. By farming only half of our land, we protect the region's natural vegetation and animal life, creating a sanctuary for the diverse species that call our estate home.
Promoting biodiversity in our vineyards
In our vineyards, you’ll find cover crops growing between the rows. These aren’t just any plants; they’re carefully selected Indigenous species that bring a burst of biodiversity to the otherwise monocultured farming of the Winelands. Bladed grasses, medics, and mustards work magic in our soil, adding nitrogen, improving air circulation to vine roots, and attracting beneficial insects. Let us not forget our beloved fynbos, with over 9,000 plant species making it one of the most diverse plant genomes in the world and home to the diverse and vast insect life that tends to the health of this sprawling vegetation.
Our work with the World Wide Fund for Nature doesn’t stop at awards. We actively remove alien tree species and replace them with indigenous plants, bolstering our natural ecosystem and ensuring our land thrives with these native species.
Bees may not be necessary for pollinating our vines, but they’re essential for the health of our fynbos and other indigenous plants. For this reason, we’ve established beehives around the estate, helping to repopulate the local bee population and fynbos density.
Being located in the heart of the Cape Floristic Region, which is a globally renowned biodiversity hotspot home to more than 9000 plant species of which more than 6000 are endemic to the region caring for this diverse species is essential to promoting a healthy environment for your vineyards.
To further promote the growth of our diverse indigenous species we steer clear of herbicides and pesticides, opting instead to let natural predators handle pests and keep the eco-system intact. This choice nurtures a rich microbial life in our soils, which in turn boosts nutrient availability and vine health. The unmistakable quality of our vineyards is living proof of the vitality that comes from our diverse soil organisms.
Our four-legged helpers
To manage our cover crops, we rely on nature’s best lawnmowers in our Dexter cows. These friendly grazers help keep our cover crops in check while leaving behind nutrient-rich compost that further enriches our soil.
Right now, they’re happily munching away in a block we cleared of vines infected with the leaf roll virus, helping to rejuvenate the soil for the future planting of vines.
Our cows have become quite the attraction, delighting visitors and contributing to our soil health. We’re even expanding our herd, with six out of six cows recently giving birth!
The Porto Protocol
We have promoted this initiative to the Porto Protocol, an international organisation that aims to share regenerative and sustainable farming practices from around the globe, connecting agricultural sectors with organisations that have innovated interesting solutions to many of the environmental issues most producers face today.
We have been awarded a certificate for the solution and implementation of our cattle and hope to work with producers from around the world in implementing cattle amongst their vineyards to enhance their soils and environmental health.
Water conservation and reclamation
Water is precious, and at Waterford Estate, we have implemented systems to ensure that every drop is collected and saved. Our extensive system reclaims water from the tasting room, cellar, and estate, purifies it naturally via an intricate delta system, and repurposes it for irrigation. No harmful chemicals here - just pure, clean water nurturing our gardens and vines.
We’re also proud of our solar farm, with 270 panels reducing our carbon footprint. This initiative not only cuts our energy needs from the grid but also eliminates the need for diesel generators during power outages. This solar farm installation is a sign of the estate’s commitment to sustainability and the future of sustainable wine production.
At Waterford Estate, our regenerative farming techniques are more than just practices. They’re a testament to our commitment to nature and excellence.
By welcoming nature onto our farm and growing our vineyards in harmony with the environment, we ensure that sustainability remains at the heart of everything we do.