Paul Clüver Family Wines' Stewardship Program with Cape Nature involves protecting the Kogelberg Biosphere UNESCO site, and includes some of the last Elgin shale Fynbos and Elgin transitional Fynbos to Renosterveld. They also rediscovered Eric Patens, which was thought to have been extinct for over 200 years.
Dr Paul Clüver explains why the clearing of alien vegetation is so important to protect this natural vegetation and allow it to thrive. It is an ongoing and active part of their regime to remove the invasive alien species like Bluegum, Black Wattle and Port Jackson. Just so nothing goes to waste, they support 2 mini businesses whereby the cleared aliens are then sold as firewood and poles.
Vineyard sustainable farming goes hand in hand with this ethos and something they practice by no weedkilling in working rows of vineyards, thereby creating natural homes for predators that consume Snout Beatles and Mealybug. All year cover crops are used to increase organic matter in vineyards. New vineyards are left unplanted for at least 2 years, with cover crops only, to increase the organic matter and health of the soil. All grape skins, stalks, pips etc. from the cellar are mixed with the cattle manure to make compost, which is then used as mulch.
As you can see, this family takes sustainable farming seriously and you know when drinking their wines that they have taken the time and effort to ensure it is made with nature in mind and sustainable farming for the future generations.
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