As a family business, we acknowledge that it is important to be sustainable not only or future generations of our family but also for future generations on the planet. Over the years, Simonsig has implemented several initiatives that underpin our commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Here are some of the ways that we are making a difference.
Simonsig complies with the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) standards that ensures environmentally responsible wine production.
In line with our commitment to sustainable farming, we minimize harmful chemical use by employing predator bugs for natural pest control and utilizing mechanical weed control. To enhance soil health and conserve water, we produce compost from farming and winemaking by-products, along with chicken and cattle manure from nearby farms.
We actively contribute to the Bottelary Hills Conservancy, a local organisation that promotes conservation and sustainability. The Conservancy is 1 500 Ha of indigenous plants which forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom. These pockets of land support biodiversity by enabling small wildlife and insects to pass through. This contributes to the overall health of our local ecosystems.
We are aware of water being a valuable and scarce natural resource. To ensure we use it wisely, we have installed a water catchment system to collect water throughout the farm, that pumps it it into our dams that supply water for our vineyards and garden irrigation.
From the cellar to our tourism facilities, as well as the offices and households on the farm, we encourage a culture of recycling and work with multiple stakeholders to make this happen.
Since 2019 we have used solar panels, which produce renewable energy and reduce grid-dependency. This provides approximately 30% of our electricity needs. We are committed to increasing this by installing more solar panels in the future.
Simonsig adheres to the Wine and Agricultural Industry Ethical Trade Association (WIETA) code of conduct that ensures fair labour practices.
Since 1979, we have had an on-site creche and aftercare centre, which forms an integral part of our social responsibility towards the farmworkers and local community. The creche is registered with the Department of Social Development to care for children between the ages of 3 months and 4 years, with all teachers equipped with an ECD qualification. The afterschool centre runs for Grade R to Grade 7. All learners are provided with a hot meal as well as homework assistance. We also have a computer room with internet access that is available to the children for projects.
We care about our community and provide 50 staff houses, all supplied with clean running water, in-house sewerage as well as subsidised electricity and refuse removal. The services of an independent social worker are available to give support to all the workers and their families on the farm.
Packaging counts for one of the biggest expenses at any winery. This is why we opt to use Kraft carton packaging; it is recyclable and made from renewable materials, in addition to being the most economic option. We utilise electric forklifts, which are far more energy-efficient and produce fewer emissions than traditional farming machinery. Our bottling, labelling and storage is done in-house, which reduces transportation costs and minimises our overall carbon impact.
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