Producer Resource Centre

The goal of the BWI is to minimize the loss of threatened natural habitat. Accordingly, all wine producers who have more than two hectares of natural vegetation on their farms (or pristine water resources such as wetlands and rivers) are encouraged to join the BWI.

What is the difference between a MEMBER and a CHAMPION 
 

BWI Membership

BWI Membership is the entry level into formal collaboration with the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative. Producer members must have at least two hectares of natural vegetation or restored natural areas on the farm that can be conserved. Members must be registered with the Integrated Production of Wine Scheme (IPW) and demonstratte their commitment to their environmental responsibilities. Members are not expected to have implemented all the necessary management actions for retaining biodiversity (e.g. alien plant clearing, erosion control, rehabilitation of wetlands) but they do need to have time-based plans and schedules in place. This serves to guide continual improvement and to ensure the ongoing implementation of the biodiversity guidelines. BWI assists all Members with their farm-specific conservation management plans.

BWI Members are committed to keeping their demarcated natural area/s conserved, and should not develop new vineyards in these areas. BWI must be informed of any intention to develop these areas and be registered as an Interested and Affected Party. The landowner must obtain all the necessary national and provincial permissions required for further development in this regard.

BWI Champion

BWI Champions are exemplary producers who have earned additional recognition and status for their excellent track record of environmental responsibility. They are leaders in the conservation of biodiversity within the wine industry. These flagship farms have a comprehensive conservation management plan in place with dedicated staff members implementing it. The plan includes extensive alien clearing, fire management and voluntary conservation agreements which commit their natural areas to long-term conservation. Champions have all the necessary permits and authorizations in place, because they have successfully passed an external IPW audit.

The Biodiversity & Wine Initiative would like as many producers as possible who have natural areas on their property to become Members and, wherever possible, to progress towards achieving Champion status. Producers can become Champions immediately, without first having to pass through the Member category

Marketing Benefits

Benefits of becoming a BWI Member or Champion

The advantages to the producer of going through the process of qualifying and getting the necessary permits in place include:
• You can proudly market your wines or farming operation as being associated with the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative;
• By identifying what is unique and special in terms of the plant, bird and animal biodiversity on the farm, you will have created a ‘biodiversity story’ to tell visitors, buyers and clients, thus enhancing your marketing opportunities;
• After fulfilling all the IPW requirements, with your self-assessment score having been verified by an independent audit, you can be assured you comply with all major national environmental legislation;
• You will receive positive media exposure and free marketing by featuring your story on the BWI website and regular media exposure that the project receives. Opportunities for coverage in other magazines and newspapers will be open to you, notably in Wine Tourism News, the Veld & Flora magazine and a range of national and provincial news channels;
• Wines Of South Africa (WOSA) are looking for Champion and Member stories to promote the new Brand South Africa marketing platform.

IPW

The Integrated Production of Wine scheme (IPW) is an industry-wide system of sustainable wine production, covering all cultivation aspects within the vineyard and cellars. The majority of South African wine producers are members of the IPW. One of its key principles is that production should be in harmony with nature - a principle shared by the BWI.

The scheme has been in existence since 1998 and is published under the Liquor Products Act (Act No. 60 of 1989). It contains guidelines and recommendations of what should be done, as well as minimum sustainability standards that ensure basic legal compliance with all relevant environmental legislation pertaining to the wine industry.

In order to qualify grapes or wine as IPW-registered, producers are required to complete the IPW evaluation forms for the farm and for the cellar. An IPW registration certificate is issued if the required score is obtained. Independent spot audits are conducted on a random sample of farms and cellars every year by independent auditors.

Biodiversity Guidelines

The IPW guidelines for farms comprise 15 chapters which address all cultivation aspects, such as correct selection of cultivars, vineyard layout, irrigation, integrated pest management and pruning.

In the past, the content of Chapter 2 titled ‘Conservation and Improvement of the Farm and Vineyard Environment’, did not adequately address issues such as threatened ecosystems or the need to remove invasive alien plants. Following input from a number of conservation experts consulted through the BWI, in May 2004 a revised version of Chapter 2 was officially accepted by the IPW Committee.

Chapter 2 of the IPW guidelines is now referred to as the ‘Biodiversity Guidelines’. It is these specific guidelines which the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative is seeking to promote and assist producers in implementing them with free extension and advisory support and the drafting of a farm specific management plan to assist each participating producer to prioritise and schedule the appropriate activities.

A one-page summary of the Biodiversity Guidelines is available for download. The BWI has produced a Biodiversity Guideline self-assessment form which consists of ten questions to help guide the producer in allocating the appropriate score for this section on the IPW evaluation forms. It also helps the producer to identify areas where farm management can be improved upon.

The BWI represents the conservation element of Brand South Africa’s positioning which presents the outstanding biodiversity of the Cape Winelands as its unique selling point.
WOSA is developing the marketing aspects of the biodiversity message. For this to be a credible message, it must be underpinned by examples of conservation actions on the ground to demonstrate how accredited BWI Members or Champions are conserving the pristine natural vegetation of the Cape Floral Kingdom and protecting and promoting sound natural resource management of our catchments within the Western Cape.

BWI membership (Member and Champion levels) is valid for a period of two years, after which membership will be renewed based on a successful BWI audit and the receipt of all necessary documentation (valid IPW certificate, water authorization, updated farm map, adherence to Illmanagement plan, and allocated conservation budget).

At the discretion of the BWI project team, membership can be suspended at any point for the following reasons:

• Failed IPW audit;
• Illegal transgressions (see policy - suspension pending investigation);
• Failure to implement agreed upon farm management plan on schedule.