Motivation for award: Spier Wine Farm prides itself on ethical farming practices and safeguarding the health of the land and the people who work it. Our Growing for Good initiatives empowers local communities to unleash positive social and environmental change, while Spier Hotel leads the market as a pioneer in responsible tourism. Spier Hotel was one of the first hotels in South Africa to be awarded the Fair Trade in Tourism SA accreditation in 2004. In 2011, Condé Nast Traveler World Saver Award recognised the estate as the top international destination ‘Doing it All’. Spier was voted 18 in the top 25 hotels in Africa in the Condé Nast Traveler 2015 Readers’ Choice Awards. The hotel was awarded gold at the African Responsible Tourism Awards 2016 in the category of Best for Accommodation for Responsible Employment, and gold again in the Responsible Business category at the 2020 Inspirational Africa Responsible Tourism Awards. Spier Growing for Good initiatives – which include supporting local artists and entrepreneurs, and practising regenerative farming and ecological restoration – have a lasting and meaningful impact: * Tree-preneurs – growing trees in exchange for life-changing support: Spier provides land, facilities and a manager to drive Tree-preneurs in the Cape. This project teaches members of impoverished communities how to care for indigenous plants. Once the seedlings they’ve been given to nurture are big enough, they’re exchanged for food vouchers, clothing, bicycles, educational support and other essentials. * Eagle Encounters – conserving wildlife through education: Spier supports Eagle Encounters by donating land, electricity, and water for its facilities. Visitors to this raptor rehabilitation, conservation and education project based at Spier can interact with birds of prey and learn about how these magnificent animals keep ecosystems healthy and balanced. * Love the Land – empowering staff to make a positive difference: Every employee is an ambassador for Spier and its values, so all new members of our team participate in a five-day training course that explores environmental and social challenges. The course helps our employees see their role within a global society, encouraging them to be“agents of change”. * Waste – teaching the value of waste: 100% of our organic waste is transformed into nutrient-rich fertiliser and more than 98% of our solid waste is recycled. To reach our goal of recycling 100% of our waste, Spier’s ‘It’s Sorted’ training programme teaches staff about the value of recycling and how to reduce waste to landfill. * Energy: As part of Spier’s commitment to a self-sufficient and sustainable future, we’re constantly looking at ways to reduce our environmental footprint. * The Spier Nursery – nurturing biodiversity: we propagate and grow indigenous trees and plants specific to the region and reintroduce them to the farm. * Growing Food – a new generation of growers takes root: Megan McCarthy uses our food gardens to teach members of disadvantaged local communities how to grow fruit, herbs and vegetables using eco-friendly and regenerative techniques. * Pack for a Purpose – helping old and young: Visitors to Spier are invited to bring books, stationery and other educational supplies in their luggage to donate to a local community school and library. * Harambee – training for unemployed youth: Spier recruits entry-level staff through Harambee, an initiative that sources, trains and places unemployed young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into their first jobs. We are working closely with Harambee to help grow the initiative in the Cape. * Pinotage Youth Development Academy – practical experience for new entrants to the wine industry: Spier is a participating employer in the Pinotage Youth Development Academy, which educates and employs disadvantaged youth in the wine industry. Spier provides practical work experience in various aspects of the business, from agriculture to hospitality. On average, we mentor four students per module for the duration of the programme.