But more than any accolades - other than perhaps the Villiera Chenin Blanc 2009 voted the Platter's South African Wines guide 2010 Superquaffer of the Year for its quality:drinkability:price ratio - it's probably recognition as top UK retail chain Marks & Spencer International Plan A Supplier of the Year in 2010 that gives Jeff and the Criers the most deep-felt pleasure.
It was the first time a producer outside the UK had been thus acknowledged: for 'empowering, ethical and environmental' ways of running a business. Says Jeff: 'Like them, we simply subscribe to the philosophy of "doing the right thing".'
Villiera has always been about the long term sustainability, both economically and environmentally, of wine growing for future generations of Criers and the farm's worker community.
Jeff and viticulturist cousin Simon (a conservationist) were thinking and doing 'eco-friendly' and 'social responsibility' long before they became buzzwords.
Sustainable farming is just the sensible thing to do if you want to have a decent crop every year, whatever you farm.'
There’s minimal tillage in the vineyards. The land has been insecticide-free since around 2000. Natural predation is encouraged to eliminate bugs and a flock of 1 000 Pekin ducks keeps snails to a minimum. Some 35 owl boxes planted among the vines attract barn owls and other nesting birds for rodent control.
Balancing the just over 200 hectares of vines is a 220-hectare wildlife sanctuary, providing a thriving eco-system naturally populated by everything from the endangered blue crane, guinea fowl and owls to porcupines, bat-eared and Cape foxes and water and grey mongoose. Antelope such as springbok, bontebok, red hartebees, gemsbok, eland and zebra have been introduced.
Over a period of three years, some 50 000 indigenous trees, primarily the carbon-converting spekboom, have been established. Water and waste is recycled for re-use, including for vegetable gardens as self-sustaining and income-generating projects for Villiera's people.
The winery, with the country’s single largest solar roof panel system, intends on becoming largely independent of the national power grid.
This is the story that this thoughtful vintner likes to tell: the economics of sustainable wine farming, Jeff Grier.
Pork fillet kebabs recipe by Jeff Grier paired with Villiera Traditional Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc or Domaine Grier Grenache....
Marmite is the secret ingredient in this beef fillet recipe by Jeff Grier paired with Villiera Monro or the CWG Villiera Mother Earth red bl...