Champion conservationists
Neethlingshof is the latest estate to become a Biodiversity Wine Initiative (BWI) Champion, following a process initiated several years ago which saw the winery putting an extensive conservation and biodiversity programme into place.
Neethlingshof is the latest estate to become a Biodiversity Wine Initiative (BWI) Champion, following a process initiated several years ago which saw the winery putting an extensive conservation and biodiversity programme into place.
Bolander visited the Stellenbosch farm last week, and spoke to viticulturist Professor Eben Archer and winemaker De Wet Viljoen.
The conservation programme ranges from large steps such as replanting and configuring the vineyards, to smaller but equally important steps like the use of recycling, the conservation of energy in the cellar and the limitations placed on the use of sulphur dioxide in the wine process.
"It's the small steps at the beginning that make a difference," said Mr Viljoen – and much of what he says goes back to how the first steps have been taken in bringing nature back to the areas surrounding the vineyards, and changing the viticultural practices there.
The replanting programme, initiated by Professor Archer, saw classical varietals replanted in more suitable sites of land and "islands" of indigenous vegetation created between the new vineyard blocks.
In addition, to achieve a better balance between nature and cultivated area, 116 ha or 42% of the farm was been set aside for conservation.
The normal cycle of nature is slowly coming back to the form, in no small measure by the creation of the green area but also due to the decrease in the use of chemicals in the vineyards.The rodents had stopped coming to forage for food and the "nicer conditions," as Mr Viljoen refers to it, saw their return, which in turn saw the return of owls and snakes which hunt the rodents and guinea fowls which are hunted by the caracals.
"The caracals are now back in full force,"says Mr Viljoen, adding "they are quite territorial. It's a natural balance because if you don't have the caracals you have too many guineafowls."
First spotted in 2008, they have moved into undisturbed wooded areas on the farm where they found safe breeding areas.
Professor Archer, who consults to more than 30 wine farms in the Western Cape iniated the idea of setting up owl post and in each vineyards there are aty least two owl posts. Nature also plays its part as part of the alien vegetation clearing programme which sees the chopping down of eucalyptus trees, are used for the posts.
Now eagle owls are spotted on the farm, their return a healthy sign that nature is in harmony.
While the farm workers have always lived in fear of snakes, an education programme was set in place to allow resident workers to recognise the different species and to be aware that not all snakes need to be killed. "We showed the workers that as long as the snakes had an escape route they would leave them alone,"says Mr Viljoen.
The replanting of vineyards, said Professor Archer started in 2004 when a thorough study was done on the different terroirs on the farm. "Certain characteristics – genetics - are suited to different cultivars on each specicifi vineyard and today we are creating vienyards that are healthier and in turn more resistant to disease," he said.
"We're creating building blocks and it's enable us to make use of a wider range if varietrals. We can also get by with less water," added Professor Archer. Classic varietals were replanted on more suitable sites and new varietals such as malbec (Neethlingshof Malbec is an award winning wine) and viognier have been introduced as well as petit verdot. Butr gems such as the 24-year Riesling vines and the gewürztraminer, for which Neethlingshof is highly regarded remained.
The vineyard replanting programme has also involved the use of different rootstocks – from the use of two there are now now five different rootstocks in use. "They are being chosen for their specific characteristics to create a buffer capacity against adverse climactic condition," says Professor Archer.
"It's essential to have healthy roots systems and that's part and parcel of why you see such variation in the industry."
Decreasing the carbon footprint at Neethlingshof has also seen the use of felled alien trees used for pallettes, the limit of waste and a recycling programme and the use of energy saving floodlights that light up the famed driveway linked with towering pinetrees and the area around the cellar and the restaurant. The standard range of wines also sees the use of lightweight bottles and packaging of wine boxes is also eco-friendly.
"If we play the game at this level, we need to take care of every little detail," says Mr Archer.
From vineyard to cellar to visitor facilities, it appears that Neethlingshof is indeed playing a winning game in the biodiversity stakes.
IN BOX:
The Cape Floral Kingdom (CFK) is the smallest yet richest plant kingdom on earth, and has earned international recognition as a global biodiversity hotspot and as South Africa's newest World Heritage Site. But the CFK is under threat from agriculture, urban development and invasive alien plant species, with less than 9% of the unique renosterveld and lowland fynbos ecosystems remaining, and much of the succulent Karoo also under threat. Since 80% of the CFK is privately owned, landowner participation in conservation efforts is essential.
Approximately 90% of this wine production occurs within the CFK. Because of the growth of the wine industry in the years since 1994, concern began mounting that some of the region's most vulnerable natural habitat might be targeted for vineyard expansion. Following an initial study by the Botanical Society of South Africa and Conservation International, the wine industry and the conservation sector embarked on a pioneering partnership to conserve the rich biodiversity of the CFK.
BWI Champions are regarded as "exemplary producers who have earned additional recognition and status for their excellent track record as leaders in environmentally responsible farming practices. They can be regarded as the flagship farms within the industry with regards to the conservation of biodiversity.
These farms have a comprehensive conservation management plan in place with dedicated staff members implementing these plans, including extensive alien clearing, fire management and voluntary conservation agreements committing their natural areas to long-term conservation. Champions have all the necessary permits and authorisations in place because they have successfully passed an external (IPW) Integrated Production of Wine audit.
The impact of the BWI on the vineyard-growing areas of the Cape has been phenomenal, and has become an international benchmark for conservation and business partnerships. There are 23 champions and more than 150 members enlisted in BWI. The total area conserved among all the members and champions amoutns to over 120 000 hectares, which represents almost 120% of the total vineyard footprint in the Cape winelands.
The BWI is consulting to other winegrowing areas of the world on how to protect their endangered Mediterranean habitats and use the appropriate management of biodiversity as a strategy to adapt to climate change.
Resource: www.swsa.co.za/biodiversity.php
Written by Carolyn Frost You are reading Champion conservationists articles
