As conscious consumer demand grows for products that champion traceability, biodiversity, and climate-friendly agriculture, Wines in the Wild at the WWF Conservation Wine Tent at Reforest Fest presents an opportunity to sip with a purpose. Guests will experience curated tastings featuring conservation wine champions – vineyards committed to protecting some of South Africa’s more vulnerable ecosystems. With engaging activations, from honey and chocolate pairings to in-depth discussions on regenerative agriculture, this initiative fosters a deeper connection between wine lovers and the landscapes that yield their favourite varieties.
But how do conservation winemakers balance sustainability with quality? What role does regenerative viticulture play in restoring ecosystems? And why should consumers care about the environmental impact of their wine choices?
Greenpop sat down with key voices behind Wines in the Wild, from wine farms making strides in conservation and sustainability to WWF representatives, to uncover the deeper story behind this movement.
Quality or sustainability? What about both
What if, instead of deciding between quality and sustainability, you could have both? “Customers want authenticity,” said Julia Moore from Reforest Fest partner Bosman Family Vineyards – a family-run vineyard that has operated in the Wellington area for over 200 years. The farm, which conserves and actively restores 178 of its 250 hectares of land, adopts organic farming strategies such as planting cover crops between vineyards to stabilise topsoil, allowing grapes to express their natural terroir, and creating a more authentic final product.
Healthy soil is crucial for vineyards as it enhances grape quality by improving soil stability, compaction, and permeability, leading to better water balance and nutrient availability. “A range of factors contribute to soil health… These factors contribute to the vineyard’s climate resilience and the rate at which carbon is sequestered into the soil and biomass of the vine.” Read more HERE. Bosman Wines effortlessly exhibits the potential for adhering to best practices without compromising on quality.
Skipskop Wines, a local Napier-based winery founded in 2012, also understands the deep connection between sustainable viticulture and wine quality. The absence of pesticides and herbicides promotes healthier ecosystems, more robust vines and, hence, richer and more organic flavour profiles.
"Organic wines offer a purer, more authentic taste, as they are unadulterated by chemical additives. This results in a wine that truly reflects its origins and the skill of the winemaker. As a boutique winery, we always seek to produce quality and characterful wines. This invariably starts in the vineyard… [and] sustainable farming is key to achieving this,” says Jonathan de Thierry, Skipskop Wines owner. “Ultimately everything we do in the vineyard ends up in some shape or form in the glass of wine we drink."
The Hemel-en-Aarde-based Creation Wines, awarded 3rd place in the World’s Best Vineyards Award last year, take great pride in the sustainable practices which enhance the quality of their wines – particularly their natural pest management initiatives. “Environmentally, we've established a balanced ecosystem by introducing bosveld chickens that naturally control insects, level weeds, and fertilise the vineyards with nitrogen... We've also placed bat and owl houses throughout the vineyards to attract these natural predators, and we release ladybirds and wasps in spring and summer for organic pest control,” says Creation co-founder Carolyn Martin. “By minimising chemical interventions, we've reduced input costs while enhancing our wines' expression of terroir, creating a compelling sustainability story that resonates with our environmentally conscious guests and customers.”
Creation’s environmentally conscious pest management is simply the tip of the iceberg, though: solar energy systems provide for 70% of power needs, and nearly 90% of their waste is recycled. This holistic way of giving back to the planet clearly shows that both quality and sustainability aren’t just possible, but are also a harmonious blend that yields a wonderfully whole final product.
Regenerative viticulture for the planet
Organic Wines by Sophie Germanier knows all about implementing sustainable and regenerative farming techniques in its processes. The brand, which launched in 2020 with the goal of inspiring customers to choose environmentally friendly wines, works exclusively with organic-certified grape suppliers. They also partner with NGO Honeybee Heroes to help protect the crucial Cape honey bee.
"We’re committed to nurturing the land with natural alternatives that enhance soil biodiversity, and minimise our environmental impact," says founder Sophie Germanier. Soil biodiversity is crucial for effective and sustainable nutrient cycling, affording vines with ideal conditions for healthy plant growth and increased climate resilience. "I am dedicated to making sure my brand contributes to a healthier, more sustainable future!"
Lubanzi Wines implements sustainable practices not just in its viticulture but also in its entire production process. From sourcing sustainable grapes to purchasing carbon off sets from a Cape Town recycling initiative (which, along with other off setting processes, earned them a ‘Climate Neutral’ certification, which measures accountability for greenhouse gas emissions) and even sourcing labels made from recycled sugarcane pulp – they do it all.
"For us as a business, this process has been eye-opening. It forces you to confront your role in climate change and consider what actions you can take to reduce your impact,” says Lubanzi co-founder Charlie Brain. “We believe that what we’re doing is right for both the consumer and the planet – and that’s what keeps us motivated."
Black Oystercatcher, a family-run vineyard nestled in the Overberg region, expands their reach to the land surrounding the winery – by creating and maintaining the Nuwejaars Special Management Area (NWSMA) in collaboration with 26 other farmers. The site, which borders the Agulhas National Park, is farmed to meet a co-created and constantly updated Agricultural Best Practice Policy, and conservation efforts have led to the incredible reintroduction of bontebok, buffalo, wildebeest, and hartebeest to the area.
As Jeanette of Black Oystercatcher says, “We do this for one reason only: for our natural world. Our Nuwejaars wetlands and the surrounding areas of the Agulhas Plains are special. We owe it to our environment to do whatever we can to help.”
Consumers: Agents of change
Hazendal, under head-winemaker Kiara Scott-Farmer’s leadership, is leading the way in forward-thinking viticulture. Hazendal has crafted a comprehensive sustainability strategy that intertwines multiple approaches to environmentally conscious farming.
Notably, the estate's commitment to energy efficiency shines through its extensive solar farm, sporting over 700 panels that contribute substantially towards fulfilling its energy needs. This initiative is a testament to Hazendal's long-term vision of achieving complete self-suffiency in electricity, with new developments designed to support additional solar installations.
Equally commendable is their innovative water management system. Operating entirely off-grid, Hazendal utilises boreholes, storage reservoirs, and dynamic filtration systems to fulfil 100% of its water requirements. The estate's on-site treatment plant ensures that all wastewater is meticulously processed and repurposed for irrigation, exemplifying a closed-loop system that maximises resource efficiency.
These endeavours, alongside their efforts in waste management, sustainable architecture, and community engagement, underscore Hazendal's dedication to fostering a harmonious relationship with nature and society.
It’s not just wineries that are leading the change – consumers have an enormous role to play in pushing for environmentally-conscious wines. Long-term Reforest Fest partner Boland Cellar says, "Consumers are also becoming increasingly discerning and conscious of their purchasing decisions... So doing good for the environment also makes good business sense."
Boland Cellar has gone beyond just adapting to consumer tastes, though. By creating natural pollinator and predator corridors, removing alien vegetation, and undertaking groundbreaking local restoration initiatives such as the Sand River Corridor Rehabilitation Project, the winery exhibits some of the highest standards of ecological consideration.
But what can consumers do to ensure that they’re supporting conservation-friendly wines? Megan Deckford of WWF South Africa gave us a few tips:
- Keep your eye out for the Conservation Champions' sugarbird logo and/or IPW seal on the neck of the bottle: these logos are sure indicators that the winery in question is held to the strictest of environmental standards.
- Follow the WWF Conservation Champions on Instagram at @followthesugarbird to stay up to date with the programme.
- Download the Champion Wine Guide app for more information – and share it with your friends!
Looking to the bright future of South African winemaking
Wines in the Wild is more than just an opportunity to enjoy fine wines – it’s a call to action. By supporting conservation wine champions, festival-goers contribute to a larger movement of sustainability within the wine industry. With each sip, they’re not just tasting a vintage; they’re experiencing the story of a landscape being restored.