Meet the Feathered Workforce Behind Sustainable Winemaking

A South African winery has found a natural solution to pest control - an army of 1,600 ducks. The Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate first brought ducks onto their property in the 1980s. Since then, these feathered workers have become key team members in making wine production more earth-friendly.

Ducks on Duty

These ducks have an important job at the winery. They control pests in the vineyard, which means fewer harmful chemicals are needed. The managing director praises the ducks as hard workers with excellent sense of smell. They help the winery make wine in a more natural way.

A Day in the Life of Wine-Making Ducks

The duck team follows a strict daily schedule. Every morning at 10:30, they march to the fields under the guidance of their duck manager. After working all day, they head back to the estate's lake at 4:00 PM for rest.

Visitors to the winery get a special treat twice each day. They can watch the famous "duck march" as hundreds of ducks waddle to and from work. It's become a popular attraction at the estate.

Duck Management and Care

The duck manager has many duties beyond leading marches. They check for eggs daily and make sure all ducks are healthy. The ducks are split into working and resting groups that switch roles every other day. This system ensures all ducks get enough rest between workdays.

A Happy Retirement

The winery doesn't forget about its workers after their productive years end. When ducks reach retirement age, they get to live out their days on an island in the estate's lake. It's a fitting reward for years of helping create sustainable wine.

This creative approach to pest management shows how farms and wineries can work with nature instead of against it. The ducks at Vergenoegd Löw prove that sometimes the most effective solutions are also the most natural ones.