Industry organisation South Africa Wine has released its first ‘Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Position Paper’, which outlines the industry’s commitment to responsible, inclusive and future-focused wine production.

The paper presents a shared vision for sustainability that balances global expectations with local realities.

As an industry rooted in the land, formed by people, and reliant on global markets, embracing ESG principles is a necessity, South Africa Wine notes.

“The world is asking tougher questions about how we treat our people, protect our planet and govern our businesses. This ESG Position Paper is our collective answer,” says South Africa Wine CEO Rico Basson.

South Africa Wine invites all stakeholders to engage with the paper, adopt its principles and align their practices accordingly. The position paper is not a set of rules, but rather a platform for progress; one that empowers the sector to build a more sustainable, inclusive and respected global wine brand.

“The paper is a living document that defines who we are, what we stand for and how we plan to create lasting value for all stakeholders,” he adds.

The document defines the key ESG themes most relevant to the South African wine value chain, says South Africa Wine research, development and innovation executive Gerard Martin.

It sets out principles, priorities and a phased implementation plan; recognises the role of government, civil society, academia and trade in supporting progress; and establishes a foundation for monitoring, reporting and continuous improvement.

Further, the position paper is the product of intensive consultation across the wine value chain and reflects the views of producers, cellars, suppliers, workers, researchers and policy influencers, he says.

South Africa’s wine industry has long been admired for its resilience, quality and innovation. However, global consumers, investors and trading partners increasingly demand transparency, ethical sourcing and measurable impact across the supply chain.

This position paper aligns the local wine industry with those expectations, providing a clear roadmap for action, accountability and collaboration, he says.

“Our ESG journey will be uniquely South African – pragmatic, people-centred and evidence-based. We invite everyone to support and influence this initiative, because this is about building a better future for our land, people and place in the world,” says Basson.