95% of South African wine is grown across the Cape Floral Kingdom, a major biodiversity hotspot that's home to many rare and endangered species. WWF Conservation Champion wine farms use regenerative farming practices and prioritise biodiversity through conservation to protect this precious biodiversity hotspot.
WWF defines biodiversity as "all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area: The variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world".
Here is a list of some of the WWF Conservation Champion wine farms in the Western Cape that are committed to protecting the natural biodiversity surrounding them.
Almenkerk Wine Estate
Situated in the Elgin Valley, Almenkerk Wine Estate is a family-owned wine estate whose philosophy is to produce the highest quality wine in a sustainable manner. The estate is surrounded by the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, which is classified as a World Heritage Site.
Almenkerk protects 15 ha of its land that's of high conservation value, especially for the protection of Renosterveld mosaic vegetation. The site also supports at least three red-listed threatened species of plants.
The Van Almenkerk family is in the process restoring natural areas infested with alien plant species to endemic flora, like pristine fynbos. The process is ongoing and they aim to maintain a 50/50 balance between fynbos and vineyards.
Plus, there is also a nursery for indigenous plants on the property.
- Area conserved: 15 ha
- Location: Elgin
A dam on Almenkerk Wine Estate in the Elgin Valley.
Neethlingshof Wine Estate
Situated just outside Stellenbosch, Neethlingshof Wine Estate actively conserves their natural areas, striving to create a balance between vineyard development and indigenous vegetation.
Neethlingshof’s alien vegetation removal efforts have been an ongoing process since the early 2000s with annual alien clearing taking place in their forest and fynbos areas. In these cleared areas, they plant indigenous trees and renosterveld. This not only improves soil quality and increase water retention of the soil but also attract local wildlife.
In some instances, vineyards were uprooted and replaced with renosterveld species. They've also created renosterveld islands within existing vineyards so as to allow crawling insects, small reptiles, and small mammals to move freely between the blocks.
The insects help to control pests in the vineyards. But to keep their numbers in check, the Neethlingshof team introduced guinea fowl. The undisturbed wooded areas attracted caracal which prey on guinea fowl. The team also erected owl posts among the vineyards, from where nocturnal hunters swoop down on their prey. These natural food chains reduce the use of pesticides and other chemical aids needed to protect the vineyards.
- Area conserved: 127 ha
- Location: Stellenbosch
Renosterveld and fynbos at Neethlingshof Wine Estate, Stellenbosch.
Boschendal
Boschendal in Franschhoek is one of the Western Cape's oldest wine farms. Working in concert with nature, their regenerative and sustainable farming practices ensure they leave the soil better than they found it and deliver quality products to enjoy.
In support of natural biodiversity, Boschendal has been clearing alien vegetation for some 15 years, spending millions of rands on restoring alien-infested areas to pristine fynbos. To speed up the recovery of the natural areas, indigenous trees have been planted, such as yellow woods, wild almond, wild peach, wild olive, etc. This has had a positive impact on birdlife and wildlife. Most noticeably, however, it improved the flow of small rivers that are fed by the nearby mountains. Four big streams now flow all year round, which, before the alien vegetation was cleared, were dry for most of the summer months.
At Boschendal, working with the land in a way that allows every living creature on their farm to thrive is a big priority. Their hens, for example, are free to roam the pastures where they feed on insects, worms, and parasites. The result? Nutritious free-range farm eggs and nutrient-rich fertilised soil.
- Area conserved: 1 024 ha
- Location: Franschhoek
Vineyards and cover crops at Boschendal Estate, Franschhoek.
Diemersdal Estate
On the cool slopes of Dorstberg in the Durbanville Valley, Diemersdal Estate is situated in a special landscape which is home to one of the most critically endangered vegetation types in South Africa – Swartland Shale Renosterveld.
As part of WWF’s Conservation Champions programme, Diemersdal is committed to following sustainable farming practices in their vineyards while also protecting this ecosystem covering 16 hectares of their land. The farm’s journey in safeguarding the critical vegetation type began when they signed a 10-year biodiversity agreement with CapeNature to establish what is now a conservation area.
During a basic plant survey conducted in September 2020, over 38 species of flowering plants were recorded on their land. As the species list is preliminary, it is estimated that this list will grow as the veld is ageing with most species either dormant or stored as seed in the soil. It is likely that there are at least 200 species that occur in the area. Among the species already identified is a small population of the endangered witsyblom (Geissorhiza erosa).
- Area conserved: 16 ha
- Location: Durbanville, Cape Town
Waverley Hills
Waverley Hills is an organic wine and olive estate situated in the foothills of the Witzenberg mountain range near Tulbagh and Wolseley. The farm has a wealth of diverse fynbos – including Breede Shale Renosterveld, Breede Shale Fynbos, and Breede Alluvium Fynbos – with over 16 hectares of land having been set aside for conservation.
What's more, Waverley Hills has cleared all alien vegetation from the estate. They have an indigenous nursery, enabling them to propagate and distribute indigenous plants found on their farm.
- Area conserved: 16 ha
- Location: Wolseley
Dam at Waverley Hills in Wolseley, surrounded by indigenous vegetation.
Choose wines for your palate and the planet.
Click HERE to shop our specially curated WWF Conservation Champion Mixed Wine Pack containing wines from Boschendal, Diemersdal Estate, and others.