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Vergelegen wine estate, a Somerset West estate that was founded over 300 years ago, has been proudly awarded with winning the Eco-Hospitality and Tourism Award this year. The award was part of the Eco-Logic Awards – a sustainability-themed event that took place at the Two Oceans Aquarium.
Picture: Supplied. Vergelegen Managing Director, Wayne Coetzer with award.
The Eco-Logic Awards were established in 2011 by The Enviropaedia and are based on seven virtues: vision and purpose, inclusivity and interconnection, a reconnecting and regenerative relationship with nature, intellectual and emotional intelligence, ubuntu, eco-ethical consumerism, and sustainability.
The organisers allocate points based on these virtues, and the size and scale of their environmental impact. The idea is that in changing our thinking to become more ecological, we will begin to heal the planet through our behaviour.

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Wayne Coetzer, Managing Director of Vergelegen, said: “We are delighted to accept this award, which reinforces the commitment of the entire Vergelegen team to environmental care and sustainability.”
Vergelegen heads up multiple biodiversity initiatives, but arguably their biggest long-term project is the clearing of alien vegetation. This project began in 1995 and is considered the largest privately funded alien vegetation clearing project in South Africa.

Among the species being cleared, the densities initially ranged from 80 000-100 000 stems per hectare. By the end of 2018, Vergelegen had cleared 2200 hectares.
The estate also declared 1900 hectares a private nature reserve, which is the same status as the Kruger National Park. This is an attempt to protect the land for future generations.
Picture: Supplied. Tasting room supervisor, Gladys Jafta with the game drive vehicle used for the Vergelegen guided environmental tour.
Vergelegen visitors can learn more on a guided environmental excursion through the Vergelegen arboretum and biodiversity nature reserve. These tours also have possible sightings of free-range Nguni cattle, bontebok, eland and quagga.
  • Cost: R35o pp
  • Departure time: 10am
  • Departure location: The tasting room at Vergelegen
  • Duration: 1.5 hrs

Book their guided environmental tour here.

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City plants 300 plants to Bellville park for World Environment Day

Picture: Supplied

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