Accreditations

Organic Certification

Our holistic way of working with Nature ensures that Avondale’s 100 hectares of vineyards meet the global standards for organic farming accreditation. The Dutch-based company, Control Union; one of Europe’s leading certification authorities, independently audits and certifies both Avondale vineyards and cellar. Avondale is accredited according to two organic standards; the USDA NOP for the United States and EU organic regulation for the EU.
www.controlunion.com

Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF)

Avondale is a member of this non profit organisation which promotes environmentally-friendly farming. We support the global movement to transform farming practices in the interests of producing good food in harmony with Nature. This standard is certified by SGS, a worldwide certification body based in Switzerland.
http://www.leafuk.org/leaf/home.eb

SIZA

Avondale is a member of Sustainability Initiative of South Africa (SIZA). The programme was established as a pro-active response by the South African fruit industry under the mantle of Fruit South Africa to promote sound and ongoing improvement of ethical labour practices on South African fruit farms and pack houses. It is an holistic programme that identifies problems that may exist, usually by way of an independent third party audit and responds with appropriate support and interventions, including awareness-raising and relevant capacity-building programmes. While the SIZA programme has been initiated by the fruit industry, it is applicable and open to all agricultural industries in South Africa. The SIZA programme is underpinned by a number of principles including: adoption of a single South African Standard and audit process and methodology that is aligned to local law and international standards; non-duplication of audits and support for ongoing improvement of labour practices on farms.
www.siza.co.za

Membership of the WWF Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI)

Founded by the Botanical Society of South Africa, and nowadays formally incorporated into the World Wildlife Fund’s South Africa’s activities, the BWI is a partnership between wine farmers and conservationists to protect the unique natural heritage of the Cape Winelands. Avondale was one of the first Cape wine producers to obtain BWI certification. We actively strive to re-establish indigenous fynbos species not just around, but in amongst our vineyards. We make use of only indigenous plants as wind breakers, for beautification and as cover crops.
www.bwi.co.za

Integrated Production of Wine (IPW)

Avondale is a member of Integrated Production of Wine (IPW), a voluntary environmental sustainability scheme established by the South African wine industry in 1998. Certification of IPW compliance falls under the jurisdiction of the Wine and Spirit Board (WSB). IPW complies with international wine industry environmental sustainability criteria, including the ‘Global Wine Sector Environmental Sustainability Principles’ as published by the International Federation of Wine and Spirits (FIVS) and the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) Guidelines for sustainable viti-viniculture. The production practices on farms and cellars of members of the scheme are evaluated and audited by the board.
www.ipw.co.za