No man is an island.
This rings true in the context of wine production; despite all we do to ensure a successful vintage, we are at the mercy of Mother Nature. We operate within a living ecosystem of nature, and at Neethlingshof Wine Estate we are committed to safeguarding our natural heritage. Portions of our farm have been restored to indigenous islands, encouraging a better ecosystem within the naturally occurring renosterveld. The benefits to viticulture are many, one being a self-regulating ecosystem of natural predators for vineyard prey and pests.
The Owl Post Pinotage
In some cultures, owls represent change, renewal, and rebirth. The reintroduction of eagle owls to Neethlingshof is testament to the commitment to renewal and nature. To manage an influx of mice in the vineyards due to renosterveld growth, owl posts were put up encouraging eagle owls to return to the farm.
This provided the inspiration for The Owl Post Pinotage. A full-bodied wine with deep, enticing flavours of black plum and black cherry, complemented by undertones of mocha and toasted coconut.
The Caracal
The reintroduction of the natural open areas of habitat encouraged many smaller creatures to come and live on the farm. And, aligning with our sustainable pest management commitment, guinea fowl were introduced to the farm in larger numbers. Guinea fowl are beneficial in viticulture because they eat pests that can damage vineyards.
The natural knock-on effect was the return of the rooikat, commonly known as the caracal. The caracal is a medium-sized, robustly built feline with powerful legs, large paws, a short tail, and unique feature of sharply pointed, tufted ears.
In many cultures, the caracal represents strength, agility, and grace, inspiring our Bordeaux blend: The Caracal. Robust yet elegant, much like its name’s sake, this wine has a pronounced aroma profile of cooked black plum and traces of tobacco with an elegant yet full body of blackberry, mulberry, and concentrated fruit.
In case you didn't know, Neethlingshof is a proud member of WWF's Conservation Champions. Check them out online or follow them on Instagram to keep up to date with all things winelands conservation: @followthesugarbird.