A ‘Green’ Holiday in the Cape

If you’re a conscious consumer heading down to the Cape for a holiday, there are two wine estates taking great green strides in the vineyards that you might want to add to your tasting itinerary, along with eco-friendly places to stay and eat and things to do that will get you up close and personal with nature — in the Overberg and Tulbagh areas:

Lomond, Gansbaai: Repairing the Land and Righting Rivers
Lomond viticulturalist Wayne Gabb made a personal pact to keep the viticulture at Lomond as “clean and green” as possible and to maintain the farm’s abundant biodiversity by setting aside 750 ha for conservation (only 350 ha are allocated for vineyards). It’s an attitude to farming that has earned Lomond membership to the BWI and the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy as well as awards for outstanding wine.

What are the brass tacks of Lomond’s approach? It is things like giving life to the soil by inoculating it with micro-organisms to increase organic matter, which creates an environment that promotes the self-induced resistance of plants to disease. And, a predator release programme that uses naturally prevalent predators like hadedas and guinea fowl to keep insects under control, and perches for peregrine falcons and steppe buzzards, which prey on smaller grape-eating birds.

On a larger scale, Lomond worked with Cape Nature and the Department of Water Affairs to restore the natural flow of the Uilenskraal River. Not only did this rehabilitate the riparian environment, increasing sustainable breeding of invertebrates, but water that previously ran into the sea was redirected into a 6 million cubic metre dam on the farm. The dam serves the irrigation needs of the farm as well as the local communities of De Kelders and Gansbaai via the local council’s water purification works.

Gabb, who studied science at the University of Cape Town, also runs a business that provides organic interventions for all types of farming and home gardening, including nutrients, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilisers and composting. “Lomond provided the motivation to develop these products so we could minimise impact on our environment. It’s an eco-motivated approach but it seems to bring out the very best in our wines,” said Gabb.

Tasting Lomond: Be sure to try the Single Vineyard wines – two Sauvignon Blanc and two Syrah – made from single blocks of outstanding grapes. Tasting Room by arrangement, phone 076 318 1328, e-mail lomondtastings@farm215.co.za, visit www.lomond.co.za or join them on Facebook at Lomondwine

In and Around Walker Bay/Gansbaai
Stay:
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve – Five-star eco-paradise with luxurious lodges, villa and spa nestled in fynbos and a milkwood forest. Grootbos showcases the flora and marine life of the southern tip of Africa, with breathtaking views of Walker Bay. Guided adventure tours are offered, including whale watching, horse riding, walks and hikes. http://www.grootbos.com/en/home
Bodhi Khaya Retreat – Peaceful haven that offers accommodations ranging from dorm-style to self-catering cottages, and retreats covering everything from Art to Zen. Situated on 217 hectares of indigenous fynbos and milkwoods, it’s a great place to reconnect with nature, and yourself. www.bodhi-khaya.co.za

Eat:
Kloek’s @Home Restaurant (De Kelders) Intimate and cosy venue, small menu and loads of charm. A good source for local seafood. 78 de Villiers, De Kelders, 028-384-2769.
Benguela Restaurant (De Kelders) Fine dining in elegant minimalist setting with fresh seafood and local produce, wonderful meat dishes and a menu that caters well for vegetarians. 24 Eiland Street, De Kelders, 028-384-2217, www.benguela.com
Marianas (Stanford) Country cooking at its best, with seasonal ingredients, many coming from Mariana’s own garden. Some specialties include skaap en dinges, Mariana’s lamb, Grandma’s chicken pie, and gruyère soufflé. Lunches only. 12 Du Toit Street, Stanford, 028-341-0272
Do:
Drip Kelder Caves – Tour these well-known caves, prized for their crystal clear and mineral rich waters. Eco Adventures, 028-384-2111
Panorama Natures Haven – Vehicle and quad bike tours and beautifully landscaped garden with pool and activities for children, 084-510-9753 or hencia@telkomsa.net
Green Futures Indigenous Nursery – More than 100 species of waterwise plants are offered at this nursery, which is part of The Green Futures College’s training programme for the unemployed, 028-384-8059 or info@greenfutures.co.za

The Theuniskraal Duck Patrol, Tulbagh
One of Tulbagh’s best-known wine farms has swopped snail bait for ducks, which happen to have a penchant for eating pesky snails.

A flock of over 200 free-ranging ducks patrol Theuniskraal’s 140 ha of vineyards by day, where they forage and consume the snail population with gusto. The mechanical skills of brothers Flippie and Wagner Jordaan were put to task in designing and successfully producing an incubator from a discarded refrigerator. The cleverly modified fridge, complete with tilting egg boxes to emulate the turning of the eggs by the mother duck, is testament to their enthusiasm and commitment to the environment.

Once hatched, the ducklings are kept safely in a shed and taught how to seek out food and drink, until they are old enough to join the duck patrol. They are then released from the pen each morning and quickly learn to follow the flock and waddle into the vineyards, or hitch a lift on the farm tractor and trailer to the more distant vineyards. Each evening they head for home and safety – a perfectly symbiotic arrangement!

The determined duck patrol is just one of Theuniskraal’s environmentally friendly farming practices, which work seamlessly with high technology irrigation, weather forecasting and fertilisation systems to bring out the best in each vintage. Theuniskraal is also a member of the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI).

Tasting Theuniskraal: Tasting Room open Monday-Friday 9-12:00 and 13-17:00 and Saturday 9-13:00. Phone 023-230-0687, email info@tkl.co.za, visit www.theuniskraal.co.za or join them on Facebook at TheuniskraalWines.

In and Around Tulbagh:
Stay:
Vindoo Tree House, Guest Farm and Spa – Family-run guest farm with luxury tree houses overlooking orchards and the Saronsberg Mountains. Also has luxury self-catering cottages, day spa, gym and on-site al fresco dining and picnics. http://www.vindoux.com
Tulbagh Hotel – Old world charm with modern comfort. Dating back to 1859, this hotel has a history of five star hospitality. It also operates Toll House, a self-catering cottage on Tulbagh’s historic Church Street. https://tulbaghhotel.co.za

Eat:
The Olive Terrace Restaurant– Lovely terrace dining and cozy fireplace inside for wintry days, at the Tulbagh Hotel. The food is South African, with locally sourced ingredients. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. https://tulbaghhotel.co.za
Things I Love – Quaint deli, bakery and restaurant serving home-made and baked comfort food. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 7 days a week. 61 van der Stel Street, https://www.thingsilove.co.za/
Tulbagh Bush Pub – Rustic pub and family restaurant, serving ribs, burgers, seafood and steaks, 2 van der Stel Street, 023-230-1123
Do:
Tulbagh Horse Trails – Guided 1-2 hour horse riding for children and novices to expert riders, starting from Vrolinkheid Fruit Farm. Booking essential, 023-230-0615, http://www.tulbagh.net/tulbagh_horse_trails.htm
Horse About Trails and Adventures – Guided horse riding for all levels. Day rides plus Moonlight Rides on the Witzenberg Trail and Vineyard Trail. Booking: 083-884-9881, https://www.horseabout.co.za/
Moniki Chocolates – Taste handmade Belgian chocolates on the historic Schoonderzicht Farm. Phone 023 2300673, or e-mail info@schoonderzicht.com

Lomond and Theuniskraal wines are available nationally at various outlets including Tops Spar, Checkers and Pick n Pay.

For more information about Theuniskraal email info@tkl.co.za or visit www.theuniskraal.co.za and join them on Facebook at TheuniskraalWines.

For more information about Lomond email Lomond@capelegends.co.za or visit www.lomond.co.za and join them on Facebook at Lomondwine

ENDS

About:
Cape Legends Fine Wines
Cape Legends represents an extensive collection of award-winning wines from several boutique estates in and around the Cape Winelands. This includes Alto, Stellenzicht, Lomond, Allesverloren, Monis, Jacobsdal, Plaisir de Merle, Uitkyk, Neethlingshof, Le Bonheur, Flat Roof Manor, Earthbound, Durbanville Hills, Pongraz, Place in the Sun, Zonnebloem, Fleur du Cap, Theuniskraal, Hill & Dale and RED ESCape. While each differs in character and style, the collection shares a common trait of fine wine quality and innovation in production marketing and distribution.

Issued by: Paula Wilson Media Consulting for Cape Legends. For additional information contact Paula Wilson on 021 789 1904 or 082 659 9187, paula@pwmc.co.za, @PaulaWilsonPWMC or www.pwmc.co.za. For trade enquiries contact Tanya Blokdyk, marketing manager of Lomond and Theuniskraal for Cape Legends on 021 809 8340 or 0833217643 or tblokdyk@capelegends.co.za.

Author: Rachel Briant

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