Backsberg Estate Cellars

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Backsberg's philosophy is one of care, especially regarding care for the environment, and this underpins every aspect of life on the farm.

In 2006 Backsberg became the first certified carbon neutral winery in South Africa (and one of only three in the world). Since then, they have completed two full carbon emissions audits, offsetting our emissions via various greening programmes in the nearby impoverished community of Klapmuts. They are currently growing 1500 trees in a small tree nursery on the farm, for planting in Klapmuts as part of their most recent emissions audit.

They have achieved Champion Status in terms of WOSAs Biodiversity and Wine Initiative, in that they have, among others, set aside 10% of their land holding for the preservation of the Fynbos biome, with another 10% reserved for the growth of renewable energy crops.

In addition, they have altered every aspect of life on the farm in order to curb climate change, cutting down our energy and fuel usage drastically. Some of their projects include changes to the vineyard layout to improve fuel efficiency; conversion to smaller tractors and vehicles; investigation into the use of alternative fuel supplies; the switch to lightweight bottles; and the use of dam water for cooling in their red fermentors.

They are widely acknowledged for their efforts, having won the Mail & Guardian Greening the Future Award for Energy Efficiency and Carbon Management. Their latest news on the environmental front is that well-respected NGO, Food & Trees for Africa, will soon be moving their offices to Backsberg - a partnership they are very excited about.

Backsberg owner, Michael Back, is passionate about mitigating climate change, and spreading the message that change needs to occur now. He does his utmost to promote his philosophy that we need to start treating the planet as a partner, not as a resource.

Cape Town Green Map
updated 01/2010 by urban sprout