Somerset West, 28 November 2024 – Vergelegen Wine Estate has emerged victorious at the 2024 Amorim Biodiversity Award, beating out four other international wine estates to secure this prestigious global recognition. The announcement, made on 26 November in London by The Drinks Business, celebrates Vergelegen’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and biodiversity preservation.
Now in its 15th year, The Drinks Business Green Awards recognize global enterprises for their dedication to reducing environmental impact across multiple sectors. The Amorim Biodiversity Award is a standout category that honours companies fostering biodiversity, not only within their own operations but also beyond their immediate properties. Vergelegen’s competitors for this year’s award included Emiliana Organic Vineyards (Chile), Te Kano Estate (New Zealand), Familia Torres (Spain), and Sogrape (Portugal).
Vergelegen’s Environmental Legacy
Central to Vergelegen’s win is its long-standing commitment to biodiversity, beginning with its landmark alien vegetation clearing programme launched in 1995. The estate’s private initiative – the largest of its kind in South Africa – has transformed a 1900-hectare nature reserve, managed in partnership with CapeNature. This reserve now enjoys the same protection status as the renowned Kruger National Park.
Vergelegen’s efforts have yielded remarkable results: bird species have increased from 50 in 2000 to 146, including four pairs of endangered blue cranes. Additionally, 279 plant species have been recorded, with 22 listed on the Red Data List. These changes have brought a host of wildlife back to the estate, including rare species such as the Rau quagga, bontebok, eland, and red hartebeest.
Guests visiting Vergelegen can experience this biodiversity firsthand through guided tours, which provide an opportunity to see these animals in their natural habitat, including a herd of 400 indigenous Nguni cattle. Vergelegen also runs an ongoing honey bee project, housing 250 to 350 hives depending on seasonal needs.
Outreach and Education Initiatives
Vergelegen’s commitment to biodiversity extends beyond the estate itself. Every year, the estate plants 1,000 trees in its arboretum and gardens, while also replacing fallen trees in the local community. The estate’s environmental efforts were further demonstrated in June this year, when Vergelegen played a key role in a local initiative to restore trees damaged by storms and the invasive shothole borer beetle along Lourensford Road in Somerset West.
In addition to its local efforts, Vergelegen actively shares its knowledge and experience through an informal Centre of Learning Excellence, collaborating with researchers from universities both locally and internationally.
A Recognition of Teamwork and Vision
Wayne Coetzer, Managing Director of Vergelegen, expressed pride in receiving the Amorim Biodiversity Award on behalf of his team: “This recognition is a testament to the vision and teamwork that have driven our environmental programmes for decades. It validates our ongoing commitment to protecting indigenous species and enhancing ecological diversity, ensuring that future generations can enjoy our natural heritage.”
Vergelegen’s environmental tours offer guests the chance to learn about and witness firsthand the estate’s dedication to sustainability. Tours, weather permitting, depart daily from the wine tasting centre at 10:00 AM, lasting approximately two hours. The R750 per person fee includes a wine tasting, branded cap, and water bottle, with a maximum of nine people per tour. Reservations can be made by contacting 021 847 2111 or via email at winetasting@vergelegen.co.za.
Vergelegen is open daily from 08:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entry at 4:00 PM. Entrance fees are R20 for adults, R10 for pensioners and students, and free for pensioners on Mondays.
For more information, visit www.vergelegen.co.za or follow them on social media.
Additional Information
- Amorim Biodiversity Award: This is a certificate-only award; no monetary prize is associated.
- Find out more about Vergelegen’s sustainability efforts and book your environmental tour online.
- Read more about the Green Awards and Vergelegen’s other environmental initiatives.
Captions:
- Vergelegen Wine Estate’s Brand Ambassador, Jessica Scarratt, accepting the Amorim Biodiversity Award in London on 26 November 2024.
- Vergelegen staff Dwayne Lottering (environmental tour guide) and Gladys Jafta with a game drive vehicle.
- Marchalle Bok, a member of Vergelegen’s gardening team, highlights the estate’s commitment to planting 1,000 trees annually.
Issued by: Meropa Communications
On behalf of: Vergelegen Wine Estate
Contact: Judy Bryant | 083 286 7168 | judyb@meropa.co.za
