South African vineyards are turning to conservation-healthy soils, native plants and reduced chemicals-to survive drought and heat while boosting profitability.
Yesterday, researchers highlighted how 107 vineyards, about 20% of the region's total, are adopting sustainable land stewardship practices in the Western Cape, a global biodiversity hotspot. The Integrated Production of Wine certification system, in place since 1998, guides growers in water management, pesticide limits and soil health. Many vineyards now plant cover crops like legumes and cereals between vine rows, restore native vegetation along waterways and reduce chemical pesticide use through targeted pest monitoring and beneficial insect habitats. These measures help retain water, improve soil structure and lower disease risk, directly addressing rising temperatures that have increased 1.5 to 2 times faster than the global average over the past five decades. Growers report that such practices not only protect the Cape's unique fynbos ecosystem but also enhance long-term business resilience amid drought, climate pressures and market uncertainty.