- Waitrose vineyard and orchard become the first in the UK to be certified by Regenified, leading regenerative farming verifier.
- Grapes, apples and pears at the Leckford Estate in Hampshire are grown using nature-friendly practices.
- Achievement forms part of the Partnerships efforts to make the Leckford Estate a centre of excellence for regenerative farming.
Waitrose’s orchard and vineyards at the Leckford Estate in Hampshire have become the first in the UK to achieve Regenified™ certification, a global leader in regenerative agriculture verification.
This means the farm has been recognised for its commitment to grow produce - in this case grapes and apples and pears - in a way that is more friendly towards nature.
It is a significant step towards having a permanent Centre of Excellence at our Leckford farm - a goal of the Partnership - providing practical tools, workshops, online resources and mentoring to help farmers to make the shift to regenerative agriculture.
We announced in 2021 that we will use our farm, at the Leckford Estate in Hampshire, to drive change by experimenting with a variety of nature-friendly farming practices.
Andrew Hoad, Head of the Leckford Estate, said: “We are incredibly proud to be the first vineyard and orchard in the UK to achieve Regenified’s certification.
“Our commitment to regenerative farming reflects our belief that producing high-quality products and caring for the environment go hand in hand. This builds on our regenerative farming journey and we hope to see more farmers embrace similar practices which could lead to certification.”
To achieve certification, Leckford met Regenified's rigorous 6-3-4™ Verification Standard - based on six principles, three rules, and four processes. Regenified's certification process will also help the Leckford Estate track its progress in advancing regenerative principles.
Salar Shemirani, Co-Founder and CEO, Regenified said: “We are delighted that the Waitrose Leckford vineyards and orchards have achieved Regenified Certification - a UK first for the vineyard and a pan-European first for apple and pear orchards.
“The widespread adoption of true regenerative agriculture is vital for the future of all of us, and I congratulate Waitrose on their brave adoption of a better way of farming for nature. I'm very excited for Regenified to be a part of the ongoing Waitrose regenerative journey.”
By adopting nature-friendly techniques - such as the use of florally diverse species in the alleys between the rows of apple trees and vines and the replacement of herbicides with the use of mechanical weed trimmers - the vineyard and orchard aim to not only produce exceptional products but also contribute to the overall health of the environment by increasing plant diversity and minimising soil disturbance. Products using fruit from this harvest onwards, such as the Leckford Estate Brut, will have the Certified Regenified seal, highlighting the achievement to customers.
This comes in response to an industry wide need to move to more resilient farming methods and demand from Waitrose customers: four in ten* are worried about the impact that modern farming has on nature and wildlife.
Leckford’s vineyard produces the farm's very own sparkling wine - a soft blend containing mostly Chardonnay grapes, as well as Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The Leckford Estate Brut can be purchased online at Waitrose.com as well as in the farm shop on the Leckford Estate. Likewise the orchard produces the farm’s delicious premium apple juice as well as a local cider.
As the only UK supermarket owned farm producing fresh local produce, the Leckford Estate has been farming regeneratively since 2020, and commits to embracing a farming system that produces high quality food that is kinder to the environment.
This achievement forms part of Farming for Nature, an initiative announced in May this year to support biodiversity and environmental sustainability across Waitrose’s agricultural supply chain, ultimately working with British farmers to move to nature-friendly farming.
Notes to Editors:
*This survey was conducted in February 2024 amongst 1,249 Target customers on our Customer panel.
What is regenerative agriculture?
Regenerative agriculture describes holistic farming systems that, among other benefits, improve soil, water and air quality, enhance ecosystem biodiversity, produce nutrient-dense food, and store carbon to help mitigate the effects of climate change. These farm systems are designed to work in harmony with nature, while also maintaining and improving economic viability. [LEAF, Six Simple Steps to Regenerative Agriculture].
Regenified 6-3-4™ Verification Standard
Regenified’s 6-3-4™ Verification Standard is designed to move entire supply chains toward regenerative agriculture to yield improved climate effects for the planet and positive health benefits for people. To become Regenified, farms and ranches must meet certain qualification scores. These scores reflect the percentage of land that has achieved Regenified status.
About Regenified
Regenified is a practice and outcome-based land verification and product certification program that champions regenerative agriculture. Founded by a team of regenerative farming pioneers, experts, and innovators, Regenified promotes practices that enhance biodiversity, soil health, water quality, and nutrient richness while aligning with nature. Regenified verifies and certifies farms, ranches, and products that restore ecosystems and regenerate soil, ensuring a legacy for future generations. Committed to cultivating a regenerative world, Regenified guides farms and brands toward practices that rejuvenate the Earth, support thriving ecosystems, and transform agriculture into a healing force for our planet. Farmers and buyers interested in learning more should visit www.regenified.com.
About the Leckford Estate
Leckford is a 2,800 acre estate in Hampshire owned by the Partnership for the last 94 years. It was the vision of our Founder, Spedan Lewis. It was his home and a farm; a place where he could grow produce for his grocery business and a place where he could pursue his interest in conservation and the study of our natural world. Leckford today is a diverse estate with interests in farming, food processing, leisure, property and retail. As the Waitrose Farm, farming is our big story. We farm around 2,500 acres of our own land and a neighbouring farm. We are a mixed farm producing arable crops, beef, apples, pears and grapes.
