Key Takeaways
- Southbrook Organic Vineyards is the first winery in Canada to achieve Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™) status.
- The winery has previously earned Organic (ECOCERT, 2008) and Biodynamic (Demeter, 2008) certifications.
- Regenerative farming practices at Southbrook focus on soil health, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem resilience.
- Consumer interest in sustainability is rising, with 8 in 10 Canadians valuing a sustainable lifestyle.
- Southbrook’s LEED Gold-certified hospitality pavilion and vineyard tours highlight its commitment to sustainable winemaking.
Southbrook Organic Vineyards Achieves Regenerative Organic Certification
Southbrook Organic Vineyards has become Canada’s first winery to earn the Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™) designation. This achievement builds on Southbrook’s long-standing commitment to sustainability, having previously obtained Organic (ECOCERT, 2008) and Biodynamic (Demeter, 2008) certifications.
The Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™) program sets high standards for soil health, biodiversity, social fairness, and ecosystem resilience. Southbrook’s approach emphasizes enhancing natural ecosystems rather than simply minimizing harm, integrating biodynamic techniques, cover cropping, and livestock management to improve soil fertility.
“I feel that to declare that you are regenerative should mean something – that you are making things better, not just reducing the harm that you are doing,” said Bill Redelmeier, Founder of Southbrook Organic Vineyards. “Otherwise, it is just greenwashing.”
What Regenerative Organic Certification Means for Southbrook
To achieve Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™) status, Southbrook met rigorous standards across three key pillars:
- Soil Health & Land Management: Practices like cover cropping, livestock integration, and organic matter enhancement help restore soil structure and sequester carbon.
- Animal Welfare: Southbrook’s biodynamic approach includes sheep, cows, and goats, which naturally fertilize the vineyards.
- Social Fairness: Ethical labor practices and community engagement remain integral to Southbrook’s operations.
These efforts go beyond organic and biodynamic certifications, positioning Southbrook as a leader in sustainable winemaking.
Sustainability and Consumer Preferences
Sustainability is an increasing priority for Canadian consumers. According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 80% of Canadians value a sustainable lifestyle, and 65% feel a moral obligation to choose environmentally friendly products.
“Conventional farming and winemaking take a toll on the planet,” said Redelmeier. “This certification signals our commitment to regenerative practices that benefit the land, people, and animals—all essential elements of producing truly natural wines.”
Sustainable Winemaking Practices at Southbrook Organic Vineyards
Southbrook’s regenerative approach extends beyond the vineyard, incorporating a range of sustainability initiatives:
- Biodynamic Farming – Treating the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem, aligning activities with lunar cycles, and using natural fertilizers.
- LEED Gold-Certified Hospitality Pavilion – Energy-efficient design, water conservation technologies, and solar power supplying 80% of the vineyard’s electricity.
- Pollinator Gardens & Wildlife Habitats – Ten acres of protected forest, native plantings, and designated pollinator areas to support biodiversity.
- Carbon Sequestration & Cover Cropping – Soil management strategies that store 6-12 times more carbon than conventional vineyards while reducing erosion.
“The health of our soil directly translates to the complexity and character of our wines,” said Redelmeier. “We’re not just making wine – we’re cultivating an ecosystem that produces truly distinctive vintages.”
