Sustainability
At Leeu Passant, we firmly believe that exceptional wine should be paired with an unwavering commitment to environmental and social responsibility. Our journey towards sustainability is guided by three core pillars, each dedicated to preserving the beauty of our vineyards, the well-being of our community and employees, and the future of winemaking in South Africa.
Sustainable Vineyards
Recognizing that the foundation of great wine lies in the health of our vineyards, we take great pride in our sustainable farming practices. These practices include:
1) Natural Farming: We prioritize natural farming methods to ensure that our grapes are cultivated without the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals. To achieve this, we make use of diverse cover crops; mulches; beneficial insects and composts. These not only guarantee the purity of our wines, but also promote balanced growth of our vines and the overall health of the environment.
2) Biodiversity: We actively encourage biodiversity in our vineyards by preserving natural habitats, planting cover crops, and maintaining wildlife corridors. Additionally, we release beneficial insects like wasps and ladybirds into our vineyards to enhance insect diversity and promote ecological balance.
3) Water Conservation: Responsible water usage is paramount in winemaking. To this end, we plant diverse cover crops and implement a minimal till program to increase the organic matter content of our soils, enhancing their water-holding capacity.
4) Soil Health: Healthy soil is the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. We employ regenerative practices, such as composting, cover cropping, and minimal tillage, to ensure the long-term fertility of our soils.
Sustainable Winemaking
Our commitment to sustainability extends seamlessly from our vineyards into the winemaking process, with a focus on:
1) Energy Efficiency: We’ve invested in energy-efficient equipment and harness renewable energy sources to reduce our carbon emissions and minimize our environmental impact.
2) Waste Reduction: We prioritize recycling and waste reduction, striving for zero waste whenever feasible. This includes repurposing grape waste for compost and recycling all winery paper, plastic and glass waste.
3) Packaging Innovation: We continuously explore eco-friendly packaging options, such as lighter glass bottles and recyclable materials, to minimize the environmental footprint of our products.
Supporting our community and employees
We firmly believe that a sustainable winery should be deeply ingrained in its community. Our commitment includes:
1) Local Sourcing: Whenever possible, we source materials locally to support Western Cape businesses and reduce our carbon footprint.
2) Ethical Employment: We are dedicated to ensuring that all our employees work in a safe, nurturing environment that provides job security and fosters personal growth.
3) Diversity and Inclusion: We are proud to have a diverse team led by a strong female contingent. Our Head Winemaker, Andrea Mullineux, is supported by Associate Winemaker Kelsey Shungking, who is a graduate of the Cape Winemakers Guild protégé program. Our Sales and Finance teams are also led by women.
4) Great Heart Winery: In 2020, we initiated Great Heart which is 100% owned and run by our employees.
Certifications
To substantiate our unwavering dedication to sustainability, we proudly hold certifications and memberships with reputable organizations in the industry, including:
- Sustainable Winery Certification: We are certified by IPW for our sustainable winemaking practices.
- Ethical Employment: Our labor practices are certified by WIETA, affirming our commitment to ethical employment standards.
- Fair for Life Certification: This helps to ensure the health and social sustainability of employees, as well as guaranteeing environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
