The winter rains certainly came fast and furious this winter with June rainfall figures recorded at 156mm at the La Colline Observatory in Stellenbosch. This is the second highest rainfall figure recorded for June in the last 9 years. The impact can already be seen on the farm dams which are near capacity. We have also been preparing some of our new 2013 wines for release from 1 August 2013. Conservation News - Second Leopard on Zevenrivieren! The motion-camera on Zevenrivieren recently captured this male leopard, identified by the Cape Leopard Trust as BM21 and named Simon. This is the first time that Simon has been snapped by the motion detector camera on Zevenrivieren, which extends over both the Jonkershoek and Groot Drakenstein Mountains. When CLT first caught ‘Simon’ on camera in mid-2012 this leopard was identified as a female so they named ‘her’ Simone. After further investigation from additional photos, it was discovered that Simone was actually a male. BM21 was instantly re-named Simon, and we are certain this halted ‘any ridicule he must have faced on his nocturnal hunting trips. With his dignity restored, his territorial domain was firmly re-established - just proving a leopard can change its spots.’ We have a strong commitment to conserving the natural environment, so it is rather gratifying to see that the 470 hectares of the farm, is contributing to the sustainability of our Cape Leopard. Read complete article (pdf format)...