Recognising the importance of water as a life-sustaining resource and reflecting its commitment to the critical drive for environmentally sustainable supply chains, SAPICS, The Professional Body for Supply Chain Management, has put water management in the spotlight at the upcoming SAPICS Conference. This event, which is Africa’s leading knowledge sharing and networking event … [Read more...]
Much to celebrate for SA’s Fairtrade wine producers
All's fair for Earthbound Wines and A Place in the Sun, two of the 20 South African Fairtrade wine producers who are preparing to celebrate national Fairtrade Week, 10-16 March, 2014. And there is much to celebrate, with South Africa ranked as the world's largest producer of Fairtrade wines, producing two-thirds of the world's Fairtrade wine. In 2012, local production was … [Read more...]
Organic farmer wins runner-up for Green Personality
Over the years I have visited most organic wine farms in the country, but yesterday I found the Avondale jewel which left me speechless. Synthesizing organic and biodynamic farming methods with modern science and what I would call abject earth stewardship provides the ultimate holistic system which only the artist proprietor behind it all, Jonathan Grieve, can explain. But … [Read more...]
Tasting the goodness of green wines at sunset
Even in these belt-tightening times, consumers worldwide are going green, showing with their wallets an increased interest in products that have been produced in an environmentally conscious manner. Since its inception in 2009, the main thrust of the Nedbank Green Wine Awards has been to reward and elevate the quality of wines made from organically grown grapes, honouring … [Read more...]
Tentative hope for Stellenbosch air quality
A touch of tentative hope in the air surrounds the more than six year long battles in the Stellenbosch area by sensitive residents, who have and are suffering from the ill effects of toxic spray drift from neighbouring wine farms. The event which gave me hope that things will now be moving towards giving effected residents a proper hearing and respite from their troubles was … [Read more...]
Rolling hills bring forth heavenly organic wine
There’s a lot to be said about winemaking the way it used to be. There were no chemicals, no “technological advancements” that made the process a process, and natural balance was far more important than balance sheets. It’s an approach that’s not just better for the earth, it’s also better for the wine – as respected critics have confirmed. So, while it may be somewhat … [Read more...]
Green pioneers scoop green wine awards
Even in these belt-tightening times, consumers worldwide are going green, showing – with their wallets – an increased interest in products that have been produced in an environmentally conscious manner. Since its inception in 2009, the main thrust of the Nedbank Green Wine Awards has been to reward and elevate the quality of wines made from organically grown grapes, … [Read more...]
Organic farm pays tribute to extraordinary man
The late Chris du Toit was one of the pioneers of the South African wine industry and was employed at Stellenbosch Farmers Winery for 29 years, where he ended his career as Director of Operations. He was one of the founding members and first generation owner of Brenn-O-Kem (Pty) Ltd. Brenn-O-Kem plays a vital role in the South African wine industry, recycling the by-products … [Read more...]
Wine drinkers help protect Cape environment
Drinking wine is one of life’s great pleasures, but there’s even more pleasure when you know that your favourite tipple is not harming the environment. Through the WWF-SA Biodiversity Wine Initiative (BWI), a pioneering partnership between nature conservation groups and some of the country’s wine producers, savouring wine is more environmentally friendly than ever. So highly … [Read more...]
Cape Leopard spotted at Paarl wine farm
There has been great excitement at Vondeling Wine Farm, where a recently installed camera trap confirmed suspicions that a Cape Leopard has increased its territory to include the Paardeberg Mountain. The leopard first made his presence known over two years ago. His paw prints were spotted, as well as faecal scat that demonstrated a diet including bones and porcupine quills. … [Read more...]
Hoe boer mens koolstof-neutraal?
Hoe op aarde boer jy intensief sonder om koolstofdioksied te produseer? ‘n Kollega vertel my van Backsberg se koolstofneutraliteit (al sedert 2006) en ek hoor iets daarvan oor die radio. ‘n Hele nuwe konsep vir my. Ek maak ‘n afspraak met die eienaar Michael Back. Sy eerste vraag aan my: “How serious are you about organic farming?” betrap my onkant en ek mompel iets van … [Read more...]
Back to basics with slow wines
What attracted me to Waterkloof wines, as a horse lover, was that they use horses in their vineyards. I reckoned it was to lower their carbon footprint, but Christiaan Loots, the farm manager, assured me that it was economically motivated. Waterkloof is situated just outside Somerset West on the old Sir Lowry’s Pass road, about halfway to the village. 32 of the 53 hectares … [Read more...]
Time to explore our beautiful area
The first Winelands Bicycle Map is finally available! The Winelands Map is the second map in the series produced by RideYourCity - the first being the very popular Cape Town Bicycle Map. The maps were developed to encourage more people to cycle as a mode of transport. They aim to do this by: identifying a network of safer, connected routes locating bicycle lanes and … [Read more...]
