Driving along the Bottelary Road outside Stellenbosch, you may just catch a  glimpse of cattle in between the vines. This unusual sight reflects an important shift in global wine farming.

Stellenbosch University is leading a three-year research project (ReGenWine), that is bringing greater scientific rigour to the growing international trend of regenerative viticulture.

The project, funded by South Africa Wine, is one of the most comprehensive efforts to date to test the potential of regenerative viticulture in practice.

The main trial site is Hartenberg, a wine estate with deep roots and a history of being progressive and a forerunner in sustainability with innovative practices. They have shifted their approach to farming over the past two decades and in 2017 adopted holistic grazing, integrating livestock in the vineyards. This shift has benefitted the soil and plant health.

Dr Brink van Zyl and Prof Pieter Swanepoel leads the research unit exploring livestock integration. With smaller Dexter cattle being used in the vineyards, researchers can manage the cattle easier and measure dry matter intake, weight gain and nutrient return to the soil.

The ReGenWine project is about scientific evidence to support annecdotal claims of improved soil health, better biodiversity and also deliver measurable benefits to wine farmers.

On 21 October 2025, the research group showcased the project and shared  preliminary results.

Photo credit: Henk Oets