Villiera Wines is located in the Stellenbosch wine region of South Africa and produces award-winning Cap Classique and still wines. They have a strong focus on sustainable farming practices and have pioneered environmentally responsible vine growing and wine making. In 2009, they set a goal of reducing energy consumption by 50% in five years, which they achieved. They have also allocated around half of their 400ha estate for a wildlife sanctuary, emphasizing their commitment to environmental sustainability.
Villiera acknowledges the importance of monitoring their carbon emissions and uses their carbon footprint report to identify areas of wastage and potential efficiency improvements. By reducing their carbon footprint, Villiera can demonstrate that they have used fewer resources such as electricity, fuel, fertilisers, and packaging, as well as that they have recycled more. This approach also helps them to manage costs while promoting sustainable practices in their business- Villiera Wines
Villiera has a strong focus on sustainable farming practices. Solar installations provide nearly all of their energy requirements, recycled water is purified through marshes and used for irrigation. Most of their vineyards are drip irrigated and they utilise a rainwater harvesting system. Their greening project to rehabilitate fallow land entailed planting thousands of indigenous trees on the farm which further mitigates their carbon footprint.
Solar installation began in 2009, contributes 50% of Villiera’s consumption and equals 325 kVA or 616 850 kWh.
Villiera has 7 electrical vehicles and multi-row spray pumps in the vineyard. They do not cultivate their vineyards.
Villiera uses organic fertiliser in unirrigated vineyards and naturally occurring plants in the vineyards as mulch.
Villiera monitors soil moisture with neutron probes and 25% percent of their vineyards are not irrigated. Rainwater harvesting off cellar roofs provides twice as much water as the cellar’s use.
Grape waste is composted. Vegetable matter and other plant waste is eaten by wild animals in the Villiera Wildlife Sanctuary. Only a small amount of waste goes to landfill.
To build soil organic content in vineyards, indigenous grasses and natural weeds grow as mulch and vineyards are not cultivated. Villiera only fertilises according to soil analysis.
With two neighbours, 220ha have been set aside for wildlife; over 100 000 indigenous trees planted; boundary fences planted with Acacias to act as natural biodiversity corridors.
Through this digital recognition platform, we celebrate the Carbon Heroes taking part in the Confronting Climate Change (CCC) Initiative for their considerable effort in calculating and understanding their carbon emissions.
Each Carbon Hero has their own digital QR code that can be displayed on their website and other marketing material, linking directly to their individual profile on the Carbon Heroes website.
The QR code provides a simple and innovative way for customers to learn about each Carbon Hero’s carbon offsetting and other sustainability initiatives, as well as engage with them on social media and other marketing channels.
With the Carbon Heroes QR code we aim to support a global transition towards sustainable development by recognising and celebrating the positive environmental impact of each Carbon Hero. By having a transparent display of their commitment to reducing emissions, Carbon Heroes demonstrate their dedication to a sustainable future, while building trust in their brand.
Find out more about the Carbon Heroes and CCC
Carbon Heroes is a recognition platform built on the ethos of transparency and trust. While only emissions datasets graded by Blue North qualify for the platform, we do not independently verify all the information our Heroes choose to post. By signing up to the platform each Carbon Hero acknowledges that they are responsible for the information they share and that, by sharing their sustainability credentials, their information is in the public domain and open to be scrutinised. We welcome such scrutiny. We have a clear set of guidelines for the use of the platform and the qualification for the various digital labels, and reserve the right to revoke the use of the platform where it is found these guidelines are not being followed and/or the information posted is misaligned with the stated ethos. Thank you for helping us maintain the integrity of the Carbon Heroes platform and our efforts to promote greater transparency and sustainability.
