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SOUTH AFRICA
NEW GENERATION
KLEIN CONSTANTIA’S ANNUAL TREE DRIVE INCLUDES PURCHASING AT LEAST 100 INDIGENOUS PLANTS IN THE FARM’S NATURAL AREAS
The booklet, Our Sustainable Wine Journey, produced by Wines of South Africa
(WOSA), highlights the ethos of Southern Africa’s indigenous /Xam San people
as custodians of the land that gave rise to an alliance of organisations - Sustainable
Wine South Africa (SWSA) - driving the industry’s commitment to sustainable
production. This wine country’s liberating tale includes groundbreaking initiatives to
save water and energy, advocate Fairtrade, education, support thriving black-owned
brands and many more.
As the representative body for the South African wine industry, sustainability
has been integral to building Brand South Africa in the local and international
consumer market, says Rico Basson, Vinpro Executive Director. “The South African
wine industry is a world leader in production integrity, embracing strict guidelines
for sustainable farming and the responsibility of protecting our environment and
conserving our biodiversity. It’s at the forefront of research projects about climate
change, such as Terraclim and Gen-Z. However, for the industry to grow, it is vital to
have a policy and regulatory environment that provides incentives for investment”.
Resilient business models allowed the industry to keep its head up with the onslaught
of added economic pressures due to alcohol bans and the disastrous effects Covid-19
had on wine tourism. Still, ongoing projects like the revival of old vineyards and
improving the livelihood of communities dependent on the industry have elevated
the Cape’s stance on sustainability. Moreover, they have increased consumers’ awareness
of its ethical and environmentally-friendly practices and led to its industry wine
exhibition, CapeWine 2022, coining the theme Sustainability 360.
AUTUMN 2022 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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