Wine and art vacation, South Africa

Planet

Carbon reduction, environment, and wildlife

The Cape Winelands towns are small and community-driven with many of the wineries, restaurants, accommodation and attractions operating with reduced environmental footprints. We are conscious of our footprint on the environment and the accommodation we have chosen is an example of this supporting our sustainability journey. They ensure that geysers are switched off when not in use. Light bulbs have been replaced by LED energy saving bulbs.

The on-site restaurant uses glass water bottles and biodegradable straws. Compostable cardboard for takeaway containers in the restaurant while they also make their own compost on site for the gardens. Their commitment to sustainability is put in practice when the entire estate and homeowners endeavour to recycle and have a dedicated service that only collects recyclable items. Management also regularly communicates educational information to encourage recycling. Eco-friendly pesticides are used to control rodents which do not harm other animals. The estate also partners with Cape Nature for the rehabilitation of tortoises to be released on the wine estate.

People

The local economy, people, and diversity

The owners of the establishments for this unique tour are all community champions. They promote the conservation and protection of local nature and wildlife, and their engagement with the local community is respectful, positive, and mutually beneficial.

The wine farms we visit are properties owned by women from marginalised communities and a true example of transformation in the South African context. The tour has been designed with the local people in mind and our supply chain is tour guides, transport, and accommodation owned by local women entrepreneurs who are community builders.

We also invest up to 5% of the tour fee into one of the women-owned farms that runs a foundation that teaches women entrepreneurial skills that can be applied to the benefit of themselves, their families, their communities, and society at large. The foundation will help create a source of income for its beneficiaries. By providing shelter for women who are abused, mentally or physically, they offer a safe place to turn to as well as the necessary emotional support.