South Africa’s Cape Winelands offers some of the most beautiful, fascinating and historic wine farms in the world. Our winelands are treasured for their food and wine, amazing experiences and natural beauty.
But did you know that many of these prestigious Western Cape-based estates and boutique wine farms are also wonderful havens for nature, as they protect natural flora, adopt more sustainable farming practices and above all, champion wildlife conservation?
Our planet and its creatures are something we should be protecting at all costs, so it is truly inspiring and moving to see how so many of our Cape wine farms are focusing heavily on promoting important community causes, social good, environmental and sustainability advances and, above all, wildlife conservation.
From Cape leopard conservation programs and wildlife sanctuaries to protecting little chameleons, here are some of the best wildlife warriors in the Cape Winelands:
1. Painted Wolf Wines: Where wine and conservation meet
Painted Wolf Wines tasting room at Simondium Guild, Paarl. Photo: Painted Wolf Wines
Based at the Simondium Guild near Paarl, Painted Wolf Wines is a family-run wine business. They produce excellent Cape wines, all while honourably championing for the African wild dog. As of today, only some 6 600 wild dogs remain in Africa – a devastating and sobering thought, indeed.
Painted Wolf Wines is not only actively involved with African wild dog conservation projects and social upliftment initiatives for communities (which are key to the survival of these beautiful dogs), but their wines and business spirit are inspired and motivated by the social dynamics of a tight-knit African wild dog pack.
Since 2008, Painted Wolf Wines has raised some R3 862 260 towards African wild dog conservation efforts. And they aren’t stopping there: because this passionate wine company has a goal of donating one million annually by 2026.
Best of all, you can help them achieve their annual goals by making an impactful investment! Invest either R5 000, R10 000 or R50 000 towards the wild African dog projects and you’ll receive wine, interactive tastings, and many other exciting benefits. So, join the pack and help Painted Wolf Wines safeguard these majestic wild creatures.
To learn more about Painted Wolf Wines and the wonderful wildlife conservation work they are supporting, visit them at The Simondium Guild or visit their website for more information.
2. Leopard's Leap: Committed to leopard conservation efforts
Leopard-inspired bag at Leopard’s Leap's gift shop. Photo: Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards
This Franschhoek estate is beloved across the winelands for its family-friendly atmosphere, Rotisserie Restaurant, and lovely wine tastings.
Yet, beyond the estate experiences and winemaking, Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards are also strongly committed towards assisting the Cape Leopard Trust (CLT) with careful conservation of the beautiful Cape mountain leopards.
Leopard’s Leap has a sponsorship (between R100 000 to R249 000) with the Cape Leopard Trust, a wildlife conservation group that is actively protecting these wild cats from human threat and extinction.
Since 2004, the CLT has established itself as a trusted authority on predator conservation in the Cape. Using research as their guide, they are helping find solutions to human-wildlife conflict, while also creating awareness around the importance of protecting our environment and in particular, the natural habitat of the Cape leopard.
With sponsors like Leopard’s Leap, CLT is doing incredible work to protect leopards while also educating the public and driving environmental change and wildlife conservation in an outstanding way.
For more information on Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards, visit their website.
3. Villiera: A wildlife sanctuary on a wine farm
Giraffes at Villiera's wildlife sanctuary. Photo: Tamlyn Ryan
Situated near Stellenbosch, Villiera Wines is famously (and deservedly) loved for their incredible Cap Classique and wines, unique wine pairings and charming working farm, but this estate gives us so much more. More importantly, they do so in ways that are truly helping to better our country and the planet.
Not only is Villiera committed to a range of social- and environmental causes – everything from amazing community upliftment endeavours to sustainable farming practices – but this Stellenbosch wine farm also has the most incredible on-site wildlife sanctuary, which guests can explore first-hand by booking an insightful game drive experience.
In 2009, Villiera, together with two of their farming neighbours, set aside some 230 hectares of land for the wildlife sanctuary. Since then, Villiera has introduced several mammals (including giraffe, eland, waterbuck, black wildebeest, bush pigs and more) to this safe haven. Happily, the wild animals have all seamlessly integrated into this wonderful conservation space.
Beyond this, the estate also planted some 100 000 indigenous trees. These trees attract rich birdlife and green fallow land, and they help ease the estate's carbon footprint.
Since 2016, Villiera has also been greening their boundary fences by planting double rows of Acacias. Acacia trees are not only impenetrable (making them perfect for boundary fencing) but they also draw carbon from the atmosphere, cool and clean our air and provide a natural, safe habitat for a range of birdlife, insects, reptiles and even small mammals.
These are just some of the incredible ways that Villiera is championing change and making our world a better place through their wildlife conservation efforts.
For more information on Villiera and their game drives, please visit their website.
4. Jordan Wine Estate: Championing the gentle Cape dwarf chameleon
The dam at Jordan Wine Estate. Photo: Tamlyn Ryan
Another spectacular Stellenbosch estate giving back to nature conservation and worthy community causes is Jordan Wine Estate. Beyond their host of wine tastings, vineyard safari experiences, luxurious accommodation and gourmet food offerings, Jordan does a lot of good work. Starting with how they diligently safeguard the humble chameleon…
When Gary and Kathy Jordan first noticed a rich wealth of gentle Cape dwarf chameleons on their estate, they made it their mission to protect these peaceful creatures – and since then, they have done just that.
In fact, in 2007, a study was even carried out on the estate to determine whether the chameleons were inhabiting the vineyards or not. It was soon discovered that they instead prefer the shrubs and trees around the vineyards.
Following this key research, Kathy says they were motivated to "initiate the Jordan Chameleon Research Bursary, whereby the tuition and research costs of a PhD student will be funded by a percentage of the proceeds from the worldwide sales of our Jordan Chameleon Range".
Beyond their protected status, these little critters have garnered an almost celebrity-like status on this beautiful farm. They have successfully inspired their own Chameleon range of Jordan wines and continue to attract visitors from all over to the estate. (Fun fact: Upon entering the estate, you can even find a "Drive slow for chameleons" sign along the driveway!).
For more information on Jordan and the good work they do, please visit their website.
These are just some of the incredible estates giving back to nature and wildlife conservation in admirable ways. We hope this piece inspires you to become a conservation champion in your own way and of course, to also support these wine estates, as they continue making a real difference as wildlife warriors in the Cape Winelands.
There are plenty of good news stories about upliftment and transformation in the South African wine industry. The #wineforgood website, launched by wine.co.za in June 2016, hosts all the positive stories from the winelands, of which there are plenty. wine.co.za has made April a focus for #wineforgood stories. Share them far and wide and spread the good news about South African wine. If you'd like to submit a story, please email editor@wine.co.za.