Vergelegen Wine Estate, renowned for its exceptional sustainability initiatives, has been awarded the esteemed Amorim Biodiversity Award, triumphing over four other international wine estates, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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The announcement was made on Tuesday, 26 November, in London during the drinks business Green Awards, an annual recognition of companies committed to environmental responsibility in the wine, spirits, and beer industries. Now in its 15th year, the awards honor enterprises across 12 categories for their efforts to reduce environmental impact.
Vergelegen, located in Somerset West, was selected from a competitive shortlist that included Emiliana Organic Vineyards (Chile), Te Kano Estate (New Zealand), Familia Torres (Spain), and Sogrape (Portugal). The Amorim Biodiversity Award specifically acknowledges companies that implement initiatives to enhance biodiversity on their properties and beyond, achieving measurable and significant results.
At the heart of Vergelegen’s environmental efforts is a groundbreaking alien vegetation clearing program, initiated in 1995. This privately funded initiative is the largest of its kind in South Africa and has resulted in the creation of a 1900-hectare nature reserve, managed in partnership with CapeNature. The reserve enjoys the same legal protection status as South Africa’s iconic Kruger National Park.
Since the clearing program’s inception, Vergelegen has seen remarkable improvements in biodiversity. The number of bird species on the estate has risen from 50 in 2000 to an impressive 146, including four pairs of breeding blue cranes. The estate also boasts 279 plant species, 22 of which are listed on South Africa’s Red Data List.
Guests visiting Vergelegen can explore these environmental achievements through guided tours aboard game drive vehicles, providing close-up views of wildlife, including the rare Rau quagga, bontebok, eland, and black wildebeest. The estate is also home to a herd of 400 indigenous Nguni cattle and a thriving honey bee project, with up to 350 hives depending on seasonal requirements.
Vergelegen’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its borders. The estate plants 1,000 trees annually, both in its 54-hectare arboretum and in areas affected by fallen trees. This year, Vergelegen played a leading role in an initiative to replace trees lost to storm damage and the shothole borer beetle in the Somerset West area.
The estate also fosters biodiversity education through its Centre of Learning Excellence, collaborating with both local and international universities to share knowledge and expertise in sustainable practices.
Wayne Coetzer, managing director of Vergelegen, expressed his pride in the award: “It is an honor to receive this recognition on behalf of the Vergelegen team. This award is a testament to the vision and teamwork that have guided our environmental programs for decades and validates our commitment to protecting indigenous species and enhancing ecological diversity. It inspires us to continue safeguarding our natural heritage for future generations.”
Vergelegen Wine Estate offers guided environmental tours, weather permitting, that depart daily from the wine tasting center at 10:00 AM. The tour, which lasts approximately two hours, is priced at R750 per person and includes a wine tasting, branded cap, and water bottle. The maximum group size is nine people. For bookings or further information, contact the estate at 021 847 2111 or email [email protected].
The estate is open to the public daily from 8:30am to 5pm, with the last entry at 4pm. Entrance fees are R20 per person, with discounted rates for pensioners and scholars, and free entry for pensioners on Mondays.
Vergelegen’s ongoing commitment to biodiversity and sustainability continues to set a global standard, positioning it as a leader in environmental stewardship in the wine industry.
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Picture: Supplied
