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. This not only guarantees the purity of our wines but also promotes the overall health of the environment. Our Stellenbosch Cabernet vineyards are certified Organic, and our Wellington Cinsault vineyard is in the process of becoming Certified Regenerative Organic.
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, is supported by Associate Winemaker Kelsey, who is a protégé. Our Sales and Finance teams are also led by women.
4) Great Heart Winery: In 2020, we initiated the Great Heart Winery, which is 100% owned by our employees.
Certifications
To substantiate our unwavering dedication to sustainability, we proudly hold certifications and memberships with reputable organizations in the industry, including:
- Organic Certification: Our Wellington Cinsault vineyard is in the process of obtaining Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) status.
- 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.
