Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West, renowned for its biodiversity initiatives, has received another environmental accolade: the Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices prize in the 2024 Best Of Wine Tourism Awards (BOWTA).
The BOWTA recognise excellence among wineries in each of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network’s member cities and regions. Wesgro, the official Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape, is the custodian of local membership. A total of 81 Western Cape wine estates entered the latest competition.
“It’s an incredible honour to accept this prestigious prize,” said Vergelegen MD Wayne Coetzer. “This award belongs to every member of the Vergelegen family — our dedicated team who work tirelessly, our partners who share our vision, and our loyal customers who support us year after year.
“Our commitment to sustainability is a way of life and winning this award is a wonderful recognition of everyone’s efforts. It inspires us to continue pushing the boundaries of sustainable winemaking.”
The 323-year-old estate’s environmental initiatives are founded on a 14-year, privately funded alien vegetation clearing project, completed five years ago. This culminated in the promulgation of 1900 hectares as a nature reserve, with the same protection status as the Kruger National Park.
Vergelegen has become a showcase of best practices in environmental restoration and management, and recently installed solar power facilities that have taken its hilltop winery building completely off the grid.
“The Western Cape’s wine tourism industry exemplifies the spirit of innovation, sustainability and commitment to excellence, making the province a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts from around the world,” said Wrenelle Stander, Wesgro CEO.
Visitors can experience the Vergelegen nature reserve and learn more about the estate’s environmental heritage on a guided tour in a game drive vehicle, viewing fynbos, indigenous Nguni cattle, bontebok, eland, and rare ‘Rau’ quagga, a sub-species of zebra.
Vergelegen was the first wine producer to be awarded Biodiversity and Wine Initiative ‘Champion’ status, in 2005. The estate also won the Eco-Hospitality and Tourism category in the 2022 Eco-Logic Awards, and the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa’s 2019 corporate award.
Vergelegen Environmental Tour
The environmental tour is weather permitting, costs R400 pp and departs from the tasting room at Vergelegen at 10h00. Duration is approximately 1.5 hours. Phone 021 847 2122 or email [email protected] for bookings. See https://vergelegen.co.za/experiences/environmental-tours/
Pictured below are Eben Olderwagen, Environmental Manager at Vergelegen, with (left) Monika Luel, Chief Destination Marketing Officer at Wesgro, and (right) Professor Sanette Ferreira, expert judge in the BOWTA Sustainable Wine Practices category.
