Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West has garnered international recognition for its sustainability efforts, emerging victorious in the prestigious Amorim Biodiversity Awards.
Announced in London on Tuesday 26 November by the drinks business, a renowned European publication specialising in wine, spirits and beer, this accolade highlights Vergelegen’s commitment to reducing environmental impact and enhancing biodiversity.
Competing against four other esteemed international wine estates, including Emiliana Organic Vineyards (Chile), Te Kano Estate (New Zealand), Familia Torres (Spain) and Sogrape (Portugal), Vergelegen’s exceptional initiatives stand out.
At the core of the estate’s biodiversity success is an extraordinary alien vegetation clearing programme that began in 1995. This privately-funded initiative, the largest of its kind in South Africa, culminated in a 1 900-ha nature reserve managed in collaboration with CapeNature. This reserve enjoys the same protection status as the Kruger National Park. The estate has since seen a remarkable resurgence of natural vegetation and wildlife.
Since the year 2000, the number of bird species has risen significantly from 50 to 146, notably including breeding blue cranes. In addition, at least 279 plant species have thrived, with 22 of them being recognised on the Red Data List.
Visitors to Vergelegen can explore this biodiversity on guided tours, witnessing wildlife such as rare Rau quagga, bontebok, eland, black wildebeest and red hartebeest. The estate is also home to a herd of 400 indigenous Nguni cattle and more than 250 beehives, contributing to its rich environmental tapestry.
Vergelegen’s biodiversity outreach extends beyond the estate, with a commitment to planting 1 000 trees annually and partnering with the community to replace storm-damaged trees.
In addition to its biodiversity achievements, Vergelegen’s wine craftsmanship is equally esteemed. Its Chardonnay Reserve 2023 received a prestigious five-star rating in Platter’s by Diners Club South African Wine Guide. This exceptional wine boasts a lemony, yellow-green hue with zesty citrus, spice, delicate citrus blossoms and a hint of buttered toast. Crafted from grapes grown across multiple Vergelegen vineyards, each contributes distinctively to the wine’s character. Vergelegen’s winemaker, Luke O’Cuinneagain, who led the production for the first time in 2023, expresses the team’s joy in the wine’s recognition, emphasising the dedication and precision involved.
Aside from the Chardonnay, five other Vergelegen wines scored four-and-a-half stars each, with Estate Red 2021 and V 2019 achieving highly recommended status, recognised for their exceptional quality.
Estate White 2023, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2021 and MMV Brut Cap Classique 2020 further demonstrate the estate’s excellence across its portfolio. Wayne Coetzer, managing director of Vergelegen, attributes these successes to the passion and dedication of their viticultural and winemaking teams.
The winery’s commitment to excellence extends to its branding, with new wine labels unveiled in August to align with its refined wine portfolio. The wines are available at leading retailers and the estate’s online shop, supporting its sustainable practices and dedication to quality.
Vergelegen exemplifies a harmonious blend of sustainability and winemaking excellence. Its recognition through the Amorim Biodiversity Award and accolades in the Platter’s Guide underscore the estate’s vision and commitment to preserving biodiversity while crafting world-class wines.
As Vergelegen continues to safeguard its natural heritage, it sets an inspiring example for others to follow in the realm of sustainable winemaking.
Vergelegen is open daily from 08:30-17:00 (last entry 16:00).
