South Africa wins at Drinks Business Green Awards in London

Boschendal Estate

Now in its second year, the Drinks Business Green Awards is an international competition between drinks companies worldwide and rewards leadership on environment, sustainability and climate change.

"It is an amazing achievement for a South African company to be named as one of the three finalists along with US wine giant E & J Gallo and Ty Nant Welsh Spring Water. Then to win the gold medal was great news and recognises all the work that has gone into this facet of our business " says Jacques Roux, marketing director for DGB South Africa.

The goal is for DGB to become a carbon neutral company and its concept involves using local underprivileged communities in a successful bamboo-planting project, which has numerous uses that will create a business and income for these rural communities, while offsetting their carbon footprint.

Winners

• Logistics & Supply Chain Green Initiative of the Year - Winner: Molson Coors
  
• Best Green Launch of the Year - Winner: Pramia; Runner Up: Belu
  
• Ethical Award of the Year - Winner: DGB Special Commendation: Ty Nant Spring Water Ltd
  
• Sustainability Award of the Year - Winner: Viñedos Emiliana, Winner (Generic): Wines of South Africa, Special Commendation: Villa Maria, Runner Up: Yealands
  
• Environmental Award of the Year (sponsored by Amorim) - Winner: Avondale; Runner Up: Tuthilltown Spirits, Special Commendation: Waverly Hills Organic Wines
  
• Green Company of the Year (sponsored by JF Hillebrand) - Winner (Spirits): Pramia, Winner: Viñedos Emiliana, Special Commendation: Bibendum
  
• Ethical Person of the Year (sponsored by Fairhills) - Winner: Laurie Davis
  
• Lifetime Achievement Award - Winner: Olivier Humbrecht MW
  
• Personality of the Year Award - Winner: Cecil Camilleri