Climate & Nature Fund winners

Bodem Bodegas (Aragón, Spain) is like an oasis of life in a region where bare soils and liberal herbicide use are the norm, where neighbours think you’re a bad farmer if they see one weed on your farm. Louis Geirnaerdt, the energetic and inspiring owner of Bodem Bodegas, is on a mission to change that outdated mindset. Support from the Climate & Nature programme will help his team transition even faster to regenerative viticulture so they can demonstrate to their neighbours how farming with nature instead of against it can be more profitable and produce even better wine. It will help fund new natural composting systems, the planting of a range of crops between the vine rows to provide natural sun protection and nutrients for the soil, and the use of a ‘direct seeder’ so they don’t need to plough, a practice that damages the soil. This project is about leadership, showing the way to more natural, profitable and resilient farming.

Bolmida (Piedmont, Italy) Silvano Bolmida, who makes our Exhibition Barolo, has an infectious and endless passion for healthy living soils. His vision of a vineyard is ‘not merely a collection of vines but rather a complex ecosystem comprising various species working in harmony.’ Together with his wife, son and daughter, their dream is ‘to leave the land in better condition for future generations than how we found it.’ With the funds from the Climate & Nature Programme, the Bolmida family will be increasing the diversity and complexity of plants – and therefore life – in their vineyard ecosystem, which in turn will make it more resilient to climatic pressures. This is a two-pronged initiative which involves firstly establishing an organic, living mulch in the vineyards via cover cropping with thirteen species, and rolling these plants with a new mulching roller; and secondly planting around 90 native forest trees in the areas adjacent to the vineyards.

Brumont – Château Montus (Madiran, SW France) Over more than two decades, Alain has been transforming his estate, nestled at the foothills of the French Pyrenees, into a forest-like ecosystem. Vines are creepers, have been living in blissful harmony with trees for millennia and Alain has been steadily bringing that natural partnership back into his vineyards (what we now call agroforestry). Support over three years from the Climate and Nature Programme will help Alain and his family continue and expand their mission. It will support the planting of over 340m of trees and hedge plants, laid out in rows through the vineyard, which will give the vines natural nutrients, shade and moisture in the increasingly hot summer, whilst also providing habitats for predators on pest control. Similar plantings already in place at Montus have reduced disease pressure, lowered alcohol levels in grapes and reduced the need for chemical inputs and tractor passes. A simple, thriving ecosystem that works naturally, with minimal human intervention. 

Château Thieuley (Bordeaux, France) Château Thieuley already has one of the most biologically diverse vineyards in Bordeaux, with orchards, flowering strips, woods and beehives woven through the estate. This project builds on decades of quiet, consistent work by deliberately linking habitats and strengthening vineyard boundaries.

Support from the Climate & Nature Programme has funded the planting of 750 metres of mixed native hedgerows, an additional 150 olive trees and heritage fig trees. These new plantings connect existing woods, ponds and orchards, creating continuous shelter and forage for wildlife while protecting the edges of vineyard plots.

Hedgerows act as windbreaks, reduce erosion, improve water infiltration and support beneficial insects and pollinators, helping the vineyard move closer to natural pest balance. Olive trees provide a drought‑tolerant perennial crop and an additional income stream, supporting both ecological and financial resilience. The project reinforces what already works at Thieuley – strengthening nature while future‑proofing the estate. 

Felton Road (Central Otago, New Zealand) is already a global leader in sustainable winegrowing, with regenerative practices embedded across their vineyards. This project goes beyond the vines, supporting the restoration of native vegetation on public land surrounding the estate.

Funding from the Climate & Nature Programme is supporting the purchase and planting of 100 native kōwhai trees as part of a larger, multi‑year restoration programme led by Felton Road covering around four hectares. The wider project includes clearing invasive species, planting thousands of native seedlings and converting woody material into biochar, which is returned to vineyard soils boosting health.

These restored areas act as carbon sinks, improve biodiversity and create habitats and food for a host of wildlife (bees, birds, insects, reptiles etc.) with the flowers, nectar, berries and shelter they provide. Support from The Wine Society helps accelerate an already ambitious programme that Felton Road is largely funding themselves, strengthening biodiversity and carbon sequestration at a landscape scale. 

Geyerhof (Kremstal, Austria) Geyerhof is a family‑run, organic farm with a long-term ambition to move further in a regenerative direction. This project supports that transition by reducing soil disturbance in the vineyard.

Funding from the Climate & Nature Programme has contributed to the purchase of a side‑discharge mower, allowing grasses and cover crops to be cut and laid under the vines as mulch instead of being tilled. This protects the soil surface, retains moisture, reduces erosion and feeds soil microorganisms as the material breaks down.

Replacing tillage with mulching helps keep soils cooler in summer, reduces compaction and limits carbon loss from the soil. Geyerhof will monitor the impact by comparing mulched and tilled rows, helping to build practical, real‑world evidence of the benefits. The project enables Geyerhof to take a tangible next step in their regenerative journey, improving soil health and resilience while maintaining grape quality. 

Neudorf (Nelson, New Zealand) Neudorf is building on strong organic foundations to move decisively towards regenerative viticulture across their vineyards. This project focuses on expanding cover cropping and eliminating soil disturbance at scale.

Support from the Programme has helped to fund a no‑till seed drill and crimp roller, enabling cover crops to be sown and managed without cultivation. This protects soil structure, improves microbial life and keeps carbon in the ground. Alongside this, Neudorf will produce their own biochar from on‑farm biomass, adding a stable, long‑term form of carbon to vineyard soils.

Together, cover crops and biochar are expected to improve soil fertility, water retention and vine resilience, potentially reducing fertiliser and irrigation needs over time. Just as importantly, Neudorf intends to share both equipment and learnings with neighbouring organic growers, helping to drive wider change locally and demonstrate what regenerative practices can achieve within a short timeframe. 

Rustenberg (Stellenbosch, South Africa) has been integrating animals into their vineyards for several years, using cows to manage cover crops and improve soil health. This project extends that philosophy by introducing Indian Runner ducks as a natural form of pest control.

Funding from the Climate & Nature Programme has supported the purchase of 100 ducks and the monitoring of their impact. The ducks are already patrolling vineyard rows, feeding on snails and mealybugs – pests that would otherwise be controlled using synthetic sprays – while fertilising the soil as they go.

Duck manure adds organic matter and potassium, improving soil structure, microbial activity and vine resilience. Over time, Rustenberg will track pest populations, pesticide use and soil health indicators to assess whether this approach can meaningfully reduce chemical inputs. The project builds on proven regenerative practices already in place and explores how working with animals can create more balanced, resilient vineyard ecosystems. 

Simonsig’s (Stellenbosch, South Africa)  project is a multi‑year, landscape‑scale biodiversity restoration initiative focused on reintroducing indigenous fynbos to their estate. In the first phase, a two‑hectare vineyard block will be taken out of production and returned to native plants.

Support from the Climate and Nature Programme enables this critical establishment phase, with later years focused on extending biodiversity corridors between vineyard blocks. These corridors allow birds, insects and other species to move safely across the farm, strengthening ecosystems at a landscape level.

Fynbos ecosystems are well adapted to local climatic conditions, improving resilience to drought and variable rainfall while providing habitat, pollen and shelter for beneficial species. Simonsig will monitor plant establishment and biodiversity changes over time, sharing learnings through the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy. The project turns less viable vineyard land into a long‑term ecological asset. 

South by South West (Margaret River, Australia) are taking a regenerative approach to managing weevils – a major vineyard pest in Western Australia – by working with nature rather than fighting it. This project centres on introducing chickens into the vineyard using a custom‑built mobile chicken trailer. 

Funding from the Programme helps make this possible, alongside support for cover cropping, native tree and shrub planting and beneficial insect introduction. The chickens feed on weevils, help control weeds under the vines, fertilise the soil and reduce the need for cultivation and sprays. 

These actions together build soil health, improve biodiversity and reduce fuel use from tractor passes. The project is focused on specific vineyard blocks so impacts can be clearly measured and shared with other growers. If successful, it offers a practical, regenerative alternative to pest management that could be replicated more widely in the region. 

Vadio (Bairrada, Portugal) Following organic certification, Vadio is advancing towards regenerative viticulture through a three‑part project focused on agroforestry, cover cropping and wildlife habitat creation.

Support from the Climate & Nature Programme is funding the planting of native trees and shrubs along waterlines and vineyard margins, the establishment of multispecies cover crops across five hectares, and the creation of habitats including bat boxes, insect hotels, a seasonal pond and reptile shelters.

These interventions aim to reduce erosion, improve soil structure, build organic matter and increase biodiversity, while also creating natural buffers against pesticide drift from neighbouring farms. Vadio will monitor tree survival, soil health and wildlife activity, supported by independent scientific assessment through a European research project. The project strengthens resilience in the vineyard while positioning Vadio as a local catalyst for regenerative change. 

Vanguardist (Blewitt Springs, South Australia) This project involves the establishment of a 1.1km native shelterbelt around Vanguardist’s Rende Vineyard, planted with a mix of native species. The shelterbelt builds on existing organic and regenerative practices already in place.

Funding from the Programme supports plant stock and biodiversity monitoring over three years, while Vanguardist invests significant labour and ongoing maintenance. The shelterbelt provides habitat and ecological corridors for wildlife, buffers the vineyard from chemical spray drift and moderates wind and temperature extremes – particularly important in sandy soils.

As the shelterbelt matures, it is expected to sequester carbon, improve soil health and create a more stable microclimate for old grenache and syrah vines. The project represents a long‑term investment in landscape resilience, protecting both the vineyard and the surrounding environment. 

Villa Melnik (Struma Valley, Bulgaria) are developing an integrated approach to biodiversity and climate resilience, combining agroforestry, a biodiversity pond and circular agriculture. Support from the Climate & Nature Programme focuses on the third element: building composting fields that turn winery and vineyard waste into natural fertiliser. 

Funding has supported the construction and management of two composting sites, converting grape marc and pruning material into slow‑release nutrients for the vines. This reduces reliance on synthetic fertilisers, improves soil organic matter and supports microbial life – particularly important on Villa Melnik’s sandy soils. 

Over time, the composting system is expected to lower input costs, reduce carbon emissions and improve soil structure, water holding capacity and vine resilience. Villa Melnik will track soil health, fertiliser reduction and biodiversity changes, creating a closed‑loop system that strengthens both environmental and economic sustainability.