New Eco Kid On The Vineyard Block: The Winery of Good Hope By Radford Dale
I love it when our South African wine industry brings something new to the vineyard block and this month we welcome a relaunch of The Winery of Good Hope by Radford Dale. What’s more, is that they are also dedicated to ethical practices and environmental practices.
A Bold Move Towards Sustainability
Radford Dale's founder and co-owner, Alex Dale, emphasises that the relaunch of the The Winery of Good Hope is far from a mere greenwashing exercise. The new packaging showcases a profound commitment to sustainability, featuring recyclable, lightweight bottles, labels, stickers, and cardboard boxes. The design itself, with a clean script floating on a white background, visually communicates the message of ‘weightlessness’ and sustainability. I love their photography too!
A History of Ethical Practices
The commitment to sustainability isn't new for Radford Dale. They've long implemented various measures to promote social upliftment and environmental responsibility. One notable example is their Land of Hope range of wines and the Educational Trust established in 2007. This trust directly benefits the previously disadvantaged employees of Radford Dale and their dependents. Additionally, Radford Dale is a well-established member of sustainability bodies such as WIETA (Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association) and IPW (Integrated Production of Wine).
Industry-Wide Responsibility
Alex Dale believes that sustainability should not be isolated to a few wineries but should be a collective effort across the industry. He advises that wineries must embrace the process of transformation at every level, from materials used to business management. "It requires planning, forethought, and a shift in mentality," he notes, drawing a parallel to the industry's shift from cork to screwcap closures two decades ago.
Jancis Robinson's Endorsement
Prominent wine critic Jancis Robinson has added her voice to the debate on the carbon footprint of wine, highlighting the significant impact of glass bottle manufacturing and transportation. She advocates for the reuse or recycling of glass bottles, stressing that the industry must demonstrate that bottle weight does not correlate with wine quality. Heavy bottles are becoming increasingly unfashionable, and initiatives like the Sustainable Wine Roundtable Bottle Weight Accord are pushing for lighter bottle weights globally.
Meeting Global Initiatives
The new lightweight bottles from the Winery of Good Hope weigh in at 410 grams, comfortably meeting global sustainability initiatives. "The transition is a process," explains Dale. While not all wines are in lightweight bottles yet, within six months, all new vintages will adopt this eco-friendly packaging.
An Ongoing Commitment
The new packaging is just one part of Radford Dale's broader commitment to sustainable practices. This includes organically-certified viticulture and winemaking for all their wines. The Winery of Good Hope wines, produced in Stellenbosch, are described as 'extremely approachable, classy, and elegant,' maintaining the high standards of the Radford Dale brand.
Dale emphasises that these wines are handcrafted and reflect the quality of the house, despite their affordability. He cites examples like the Full Berry Fermentation Pinotage and the Bush Vine Chenin Blanc, which involve meticulous and labour-intensive processes.
A Philosophy of Care
Radford Dale's commitment to sustainability extends beyond packaging and viticulture. It's a philosophy of care that encompasses ethical business practices and fair treatment of team members. "As a society, we’ve been pretty complacent about the environment. We need to be authentic and take responsibility," Dale asserts. The new packaging for the Winery of Good Hope is an essential step in their journey towards full sustainability.
Buy Winery of Good Hope Wines
The relaunch of the Winery of Good Hope marks an exciting chapter for Radford Dale and the wine industry at large. Their commitment to sustainability, ethical practices, and quality winemaking sets a benchmark for others to follow. For more information about Radford Dale, the Winery of Good Hope, and to purchase their wines, visit www.radforddale.com.
