If you’re a wine drinker, it’s very possible that you would have noticed a recognisable logo on certain wines – the sugarbird and the protea – but are you aware of what this actually means, or in fact how important this label is?

The sugar bird and protea sticker represents farms that have been recognised as Conservation Champions through the work done towards sustainability, biodiversity and conservation. The label itself represents a symbiotic relationship – the protea feeds the sugarbird and the sugarbird pollinates the flower, essentially one can’t thrive without the other. This was selected specifically because the relationship represents the agricultural industry and its connection with nature.

Celebrating 50 WWF Conservation Champions

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) celebrated its golden 50th milestone this past September, with 50 Cape Winelands farms now recognised as WWF Conservation Champions: leaders in the international wine sector and custodians of two major global biodiversity hotspots.

The milestone was celebrated at Vondeling Wines, just near Wellington, with a walk through the vineyards and the observation of techniques that have been implemented at the farm.

This was also a chance to get up close and personal with the farm’s fynbos vegetation and see nature at work. One of the most notable successes being the growth of indigenous Babiana noctiflora flower, for which one of Vondeling’s wines is named.

95% of South African wine is grown in the Cape Winelands, which overlaps two major global biodiversity hotspots – the Cape Floral Kingdom and the Succulent Karoo. Both are unique habitats for many rare and endangered species which, if left unprotected, may be lost forever.

Fortunately, South Africa’s wine farms, spread across the Cape Winelands from Constantia to Robertson, and from Stellenbosch to the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, are stepping up as true custodians of the land, with 50 of these wine farms now being recognised as WWF Conservation Champions, following the recent inclusion of Diemersdal (Durbanville) and Cavalli Estate (Stellenbosch).

“We are thrilled to welcome these newcomers to the WWF Conservation Champion programme. Both have met stringent criteria and shown exceptional commitment to sustainable practices, while safeguarding endangered species in unique habitats,” comments Shelly Fuller, Manager of WWF’s Fruit and Wine programme.

It is wonderful to achieve this golden milestone of 50 Conservation Champions, especially during these challenging times for the industry. It proves that sustainable farming in harmony with nature, expansion into eco-tourism activities and conservation of local biodiversity are winning strategies that benefit people and nature.

Championing Environmental Leaders

The 50 WWF Conservation Champions are acknowledged as environmental leaders in the wine industry for their exceptional commitment to regenerative farming practices, including conserving natural systems and biodiversity on their land, implementing responsible production practices and spearheading innovations in water and energy efficiency.

This includes implementing systems like fire breaks, the clearing of alien vegetation and the reintroduction of indigenous flora, installation of solar panels and water management systems, to name just a few. A large part of this is also educational, with training provided to help reinforce why these measures are so critical.

Collectively, these 50 WWF Conservation Champions own 43,000 hectares of land, of which 23,000 hectares is conserved as a pristine part of the Cape Floral Kingdom. This achievement is due to the unique and symbiotic working relationship between WWF and Cape wine farmers.

The Conservation Champion programme, facilitated by the WWF, supports wine farms in their conservation endeavours through advisory support and assistance with setting tangible targets and prioritising actions to address their most pressing environmental risks. The 50 farms work closely with WWF undertaking annual assessments to ensure they meet the specifications required of a Conservation Champion.

Custodians of major global biodiversity hotspots

This golden milestone is a testament to the extraordinary measures local wine growers have implemented to protect and conserve the Cape Winelands, which overlaps two major global biodiversity hotspots: the Cape Floral Kingdom and the Succulent Karoo.

“Even during these turbulent and unprecedented times, with multiple lockdowns and bans on sale of alcohol, the WWF Conservation Champion wine farms have maintained their exceptional conservation commitment to farm in harmony with nature. Despite the current circumstances, the number of new champions has grown strongly over the last two years, showcasing the passion and dedication of local wine producers,” concludes Fuller.

Support our Conservation Champions

Each WWF Conservation Champion wine farm has a unique sustainability story: many have set aside land for conservation; rehabilitated vast sections of the Cape Floral Kingdom through alien invasive clearing projects; reduced their water usage; and implemented energy-efficiency solutions. Many wine farms have also diversified their wine farm offering through sustainability initiatives to include nature-based activities like walking, hiking and mountain biking trails, outdoor dining, bird watching, eco-lodging, picnics, nature drives and ‘vinisafari’s’ to attract more visitors and contribute to ecotourism.

Choosing a WWF Conservation Champion wine is as easy as looking for the distinctive sugarbird and protea logo on wine bottles when purchasing wine from your local retailer. When you purchase one of these wines you know that you are supporting a farm that is actively supporting nature and that is definitely a cause worth championing.

Wine lovers, locals and tourists can also download the Champion Wine Guide App at www.championwineguide.co.za to find special offers, explore wine farms and browse through nature-based experiences and ecotourism activities.

For more information about the prestigious WWF Conservation Champions programme, or to find out if your favourite wine is a WWF Conservation Champion, visit the website or social media channels below.

wwf.org.za | WWF Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Conservation Champions Instagram #ConservationChampions