How a squad of ducks became the secret to this 300-year-old winery’s success

South Africa’s wine industry employs around 270,000 people, crafting some of the world’s most coveted wines. Yet not all tasks are best suited to humans—sometimes, it’s best to let the ducks take over.

Situated outside Cape Town along the Eerste River, Vergenoegd Löw The Wine Estate has revitalized an age-old tradition by deploying a squadron of ducks to protect its vineyard from pests.

Taking inspiration from the ducks used in Asia’s rice paddies to control pests, the winery employs around 1,600 ducks to help make its wine production more eco-friendly.

“I like to think of our ducks as the soldiers of our vineyards,” says managing director Corius Visser. “They feast on aphids, snails, and small worms, keeping the vineyard entirely pest-free.”

The Indian runner duck, known for its flightless nature and upright posture, possesses a keen sense of smell. These duck squads are guided through a 14-day journey across the vineyard, consuming pests and enriching the soil as they go.

During harvest time, the ducks take a break from their duties (since they might eat the grapes). They spend this time grazing on open farmland, swimming in a nearby lake, and undergoing selective breeding, says Visser.

Duck eggs are served in the vineyard’s restaurant, but the ducks themselves are never eaten—“that would be like dining on a colleague,” says Gavin Moyes, the estate’s tasting room manager, in a 2020 interview.

“As the world shifts toward more sustainable farming, we aim to be more organic,” explains Visser. “For Vergenoegd, our goal is to lessen our impact on the Earth, the soil, and the environment.” The estate also runs a large solar power plant and maintains a 25-hectare wetland conservation area.

Vergenoegd Löw has been using its innovative duck-based pest control system since the 1980s, and this feathered strategy might soon expand even further.

As a trailblazer in winemaking with a history dating back to the late 17th century, Vergenoegd Löw aims to inspire other vineyards to follow its lead. Visser reveals that the estate plans to sell 750 ducks to other vineyards and breed more to maintain its flock. “We want to be known for having not just the best runner ducks in South Africa, but the world,” Visser says.

“I believe the industry has great potential to explore more experimental practices,” he adds. This requires investment, and increasing the price of South African wines on the global market could help fund Vergenoegd Löw’s and other vineyards’ sustainability efforts.

“If we succeed, we can reinvest those profits into our people, our land, and our journey toward greater sustainability,” Visser concludes.

They’d be absolutely quackers not to.

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