At Delaire Graff Estate, everything we do is carefully considered to positively impact the earth, our guests, and our employees. To mark Earth Day on Monday 22 April, we pledge our continued commitment to our sustainability programme, which extends across every facet of the Estate and beyond.
Carbon credits
In line with our dedication to reducing our carbon footprint as we work towards carbon neutrality, we purchase carbon credits on behalf of each lodge guest. Every carbon credit represents one tonne of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere, with a focus on local, renewable energy efforts across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Our lodges
Within our lodges, slippers made from recycled plastic, bamboo key cards, biodegradable coffee pods and loose-leaf tea in replenishable tins are just some of the ways we minimise single-use plastic and general waste.
We also encourage responsible electricity and water usage and incorporate non-toxic products into our cleaning regimes.
Our gardens
Our water-wise gardens are planted with over 350 species of flora, 70 per cent of which are indigenous. Garden manager Torstiel Gumbo and his team take great care to ensure that our earth is expertly cared for and nourished.
Dedicated to environmentally friendly and sustainable practices, we have an extensive composting programme and are proud of our established wormery, which continuously recycles and transforms leftovers from our kitchens and the broader Estate into organic, nutrient-rich compost and fertiliser.
By committing to our environment, the ongoing preservation of our inherited biodiversity continues to grow and thrive.
Our restaurants
At Delaire Graff Restaurant and Hōseki, our chefs seasonally plan and plant the Estate’s vegetable garden and greenhouse allowing us to serve authentic Estate-to-plate cuisine, with the remainder provided by producers who share our philosophy of organic farming.
We are proud to work only with local, certified sustainable farms and fisheries to ensure the environment, animals and our communities are respected and preserved for generations to come.
Our still and sparkling water is also filtered and bottled on-site.
Our team
Several programmes have been implemented to facilitate our team's growth and development and support our community. These are diverse and range from a subsidised canteen to skills training and access to affordable healthcare.
Where possible, we are also focused on hiring employees directly from the surrounding Winelands.
The FACET Foundation
Laurence Graff OBE, owner of Delaire Graff Estate, established the FACET (For Africa’s Children Every Time) Foundation in 2008. After countless visits to the region and with long-held ties to Sub-Saharan Africa, he was struck by the poverty he encountered but also by the spirit and potential of its children and young people.
Today, FACET works closely with partner charities in Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa on projects designed to relieve poverty and provide education, training, and medical support to children and communities. Every guest has the opportunity to our ability to support these charities.
Our partner charities include:
- Help Lesotho: A charity which focuses efforts in this country plagued by HIV/AIDs, gender-based violence and poverty, supporting thousands of vulnerable children and families.
- Stepping Stones International: A charity based in Botswana which provides life skills to unlock the potential of vulnerable children.
- Pebbles Project: A Winelands community-based charity that offers children and their families support in education, health, community upliftment, and protection programmes.
There are plenty of good news stories from the South African Winelands. The #wineforgood campaign, launched by wine.co.za in June 2016, is all about sharing these positive and uplifting stories. We dedicate the month of April to our #wineforgood campaign each year, sharing a good news story every day. Join us in spreading the good news about South African wine. If you'd like to submit a story, please email editor@wine.co.za.