WORLD OCEANS DAY: Wakefield Wines and the Power of the Seahorse

June 8^th is World Oceans Day, a time to think about how the health of our planet as a whole is dependent on the health of the sea. Wakefield Wines is a company that understands the importance of the ocean, and is actively working to protect it.

Winemakers are sensitive to stresses on the environment. A few degrees shift in temperature, slight changes to alkalinity, invasive species, chemical hazards, can all have devastating effects on the vines which give winemakers their livelihood. This makes them kindred to the seahorse.

Seahorses are particularly vulnerable to stresses in the marine environment, therefore are indicators of the well-being of the sea, the proverbial canary-in-the-coal-mine. If populations of seahorses are in trouble, it means the rest of the marine-ecosystem is in trouble.

The seahorse has been in Wakefield’s DNA from the start, as fossils of the quirky hippocampi were found when they broke ground on their first vineyard, and served as inspiration for the winemaker’s logo. From the beginning, The Taylor family, who founded and operate Wakefield Wines, have had a passion for environmental conservation and sustainability. Project Seahorse has been a natural partner for them. Project Seahorse, is a global team of marine conservationists, dedicated to healthy, well-managed marine ecosystems. In additional to financial support, Wakefield has campaigned to raise awareness and further funding for the important work Project Seahorse does.

Starting on a biological level with the humble seahorse, Project Seahorse’s work expands outward to address habitat, eco-systems, industry, communities, regions, nations and ultimately the health of the planet. The team at Project Seahorse has established projects around the globe, encompassing research, education, collaboration with governments and effective, holistic actions to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of the world’s coastal marine eco-systems. Restoring habitat, establishing protected marine areas, monitoring the fishing industry and regulating wildlife trade are some of the many actions Project Seahorse takes. We encourage you to visit the Project Seahorse website and learn about the different facets of the organization and, if it is in your power, you can donate by visiting Wakefield, and following the link.

Currently, we are enjoying Wakefield’s Promised Land collection, both the 2019 Shiraz and 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, which feature a silhouette of a seahorse within a lush nature setting on the beautiful label. Wakefield have often used this wine to promote awareness and raise funds for Project Seahorse and other environmental projects such as SeaBnB. As for the wines themselves, the Promised Land offerings are lovely sippers and excellent value. The shiraz is easy drinking, full of dark fruit and berries with a pleasant touch of toasted oak. The cab is big, but very approachable with fruits, chocolate and a touch of spice. They both bat above their price point, and are perfect companions for a backyard barbecue, or picnic on the beach. As with the other wines in their portfolio, Wakefield includes the temperature sensor on the bottle to facilitate the optimal drinking temperature. Because a few degrees can make a big difference! For the enjoyment of wine in your glass, for the grapes growing on the vine, and for the seahorses thriving in their habitat.