Caring for the Planet - One Sip at a Time 🍷
Honeybees - The unsung heroes of our planet 🐝
Honeybees play a vital role in sustaining healthy ecosystems and are an essential part of food production, pollinating most of the world’s fruits, vegetables, nuts and more. In many areas around the world however, honeybees are endangered due to monoculture farming, loss of habitat and the use of pesticides.
Technically grapevines don’t need bees for pollination as they are self-pollinating. However, cover crops that surround the vineyards rely on bees for pollination. In turn, these cover crops promote biodiversity helping combat the monocultural nature of a vineyard. The cover crops are also vital to prevent soil erosion, increase the organic content of the soil, help avoid pests and allow wine growers to be chemical-free - which in turn is a prerequisite for bees to thrive.
Thus a conscious and sustainable farming in the vineyards can go a long way for a happy and healthy bee populations. Research and experience shows that this will positively influence vineyard health, the quality of the grapes … and ultimately the quality of the wine produced. And isn’t that what we are all looking for?!
BeeConscious - Wines with a vision
Our partner winery in South Africa by Sophie Germanier is passionate about the environment and believes that organic practices play a vital role in sustainability and the longevity of the wine industry.
Sophie has created her dedicated wine label called BeeConscious to raise awareness of the importance of bees and highlight the practices that are used in her vineyards to ensure that the bee population can thrive.
Sophie Germanier wines are created with the environment and its inhabitants in mind. No pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and herbicides are used in the vineyards. Additionally, every detail of the value chain from the production to the delivery is considered - this means amongst others, light weight bottles to reduce carbon emissions during transportation and fair labour practices.
It also means that the resulting wine is made with passion and innovation without compromising on quality.
“My vision is to have consumers move towards drinking more wine that is conscious about the environment and society as a whole. Through the creation of wines that place quality and consciousness at the forefront of their values, we move towards that vision.”
Sophie Germanier has partnered with Honeybee heroes, a non-profit organisation, to prevent the further decline of South African honey bees.
Our BeeConscious wines for you to try:
Sauvignon Blanc
The nose presents gooseberries, grapefruit, with hints of apricot and nectarine peach. Flavors of granadillas and citrus surprises on the palate accompanied by a creamy finish.
Grape Varietals: 100% Sauvignon Blanc | Vintage: 2022
Price: $ 26.80
Pinotage
The nose presents notes of raspberry, blackberry and hints of marzipan that follows through onto the palate. This is a well-rounded wine with fine tannins and balanced structure and a long finish.
Grape Varietals: 100% Pinotage | Vintage: 2022
Price: $ 27.05
Cabernet Sauvignon
The nose presents notes of black cherry, blackcurrant with hints of vanilla and nutmeg. Aromas of black cherry and blackcurrant as well as dried herbs follows through onto the palate. This is a well-rounded wine with fine tannins and balanced structure and a velvet finish.
Grape Varietals: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon | Vintage: 2021
Price: $ 28.10
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Shiraz
Red Bell pepper with herbs and leather welcomes the wine lover’s nose and follows through on the palate with a cigar box, dark fruit and prune aromas. This is a well-rounded and balanced wine.
Grape Varietals: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 20% Shiraz | Vintage: 2020
Price: $ 29.80