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Announcing The First Two Members Of The Biodiversity & Wine Initiative
To be officially recognized by the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative and enjoy increased recognition and associated marketing advantages, wine producers can either become MEMBERS or CHAMPIONS. Since the launch of Vergelegen, as the first BWI champion in March this year, the first two wine farms to become members of the initiative, are Mooiplaas and Koopmanskloof.
MOOIPLAAS, owned by Tielman and Louis Roos, and situated on the Bottelary road has demonstrated exceptional commitment for keeping threatened ecosystems undeveloped. In 1995, 50ha of Swartland Granite Renosterveld on the 240 ha Mooiplaas estate was proclaimed a Private Nature Reserve on Tielman's request. Granite renosterveld is of particular significance because it is scarcer than shale-based renosterveld. According to Tielman, the renosterveld on Mooiplaas is a haven of insects such as ladybirds which prey on vineyards pests, demonstrating a direct benefit for conserving natural veld. Mooiplaas has also paid attention to all aspects of sustainable viticultural practices by attaining an IPW certificate for the farm and cellar. This implies for the cellar for example, that Mooiplaas has applied to Water Affairs for a general authorization permit in order to dispose winery waste water in an acceptable manner, and a water quality management report has been prepared by a qualified wastewater consultant. This is praise-worthy considering that currently only a small percentage of wineries in the Western Cape have gone through the process of registering as water users and applying for the necessary waste water authorizations.
Wine has been made on the farm since the later part of the 19th century, while the first wine to be bottled under the Mooiplaas estate label was the Cabernet Sauvignon 1995. There are currently four wines in the Mooiplaas range, i.e. Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. A Chenin Blanc, Merlot and a Mooiplaas Blend will soon be released and will be available in a few months time. About 40% of wine under the Mooiplaas Estate label is exported to various countries, although this share is rapidly increasing, and 60% is sold in the local market. Some of the awards Mooiplaas have won over the last few years include a double gold Veritas award for the Shiraz 2002, a Pinotage Top 10 Award for the Pinotage 1998 and a gold at the Swiss International Airlines Wine Awards 2003 for the Sauvignon Blanc 2002. Tielman Roos has for many years been an active voice in the community for the environment. He not only serves as secretary for the Bottelary conservancy, but also sits on the IPW committee and regularly lobbies the Stellenbosch municipality on issues such as rates rebates for privately owned conservation land.
Mooiplaas is situated on the Vineyard Hiking Trail, which extends from the Devon Valley area to Zevenwacht. This beautiful trail (with 4 different route distances) has recently been re-launched by the World Wildlife Fund through their sponsorship of a map for the trail. Hiking permits are available for R25 from Sugar Bird Manor in Devon Valley (ph 865 2313), where you can park and start the trail. A pair of hiking boots and a packed lunch is probably the best way to enjoy the fauna, flora and exquisite views of the Bottelary hills, located only half an hour from Cape Town. For more information, contact Mooiplaas Estate: (021) 903-6273, info@mooiplaas.co.za, www.mooiplaas.co.za.
KOOPMANSKLOOF, situated along the Bottelary Road and owned by Mr Smit since 1949 (better known as Oom Stevie), supplies quality grapes to a number of well-known brands such as JC le Roux, Simonsig, Lourensford Chenin Blanc, Drostdy Hof. But these days Koopmanskloof should perhaps be better known for its contribution to conservation, having just been awarded membership status to the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative. The 220ha farm contains a 70ha natural area that was proclaimed a Private Nature Reserve around 1980, on Oom Stevie's request. This private reserve is part of the Bottelary koppie, and consists of a remarkable 3 different types of vegetation - Swartland Shale Renosterveld, Swartland Granite Renosterveld (both of which are critically endangered vegetation types) and Boland Granite Fynbos (classified as an 'endangered' type of fynbos). This geological variation of granites and shales has produced a rich variety of shrubs, bulbs and grasses, which are still in excellent condition due to Oom Stevie's efforts in keeping the area clear of alien invasive trees.
An area on the farm previously covered with 30 000 pine trees has now been replanted with many different protea species. Oom Stevie (now nearly 80) has built a walking path through the nature reserve, which he still enjoys hiking at least three times a week. Oom Stevie has passed on his long-standing passion for nature to neighbouring farms by not only helping to establish the Vineyard Hiking Trail, but also by initiating the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy, with the help of Tielman Roos from Mooiplaas. The conservancy was formally registered in 2002 to protect the renosterveld fragments on the Bottelary hills, and currently has 35 members. The Bottelary conservancy has received funding in 2004 & 2005 from the LandCare program of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture to start clearing alien vegetation on conservancy member's properties. Oom Stevie was also instrumental in starting the Vineyard Hiking Trail many years ago. To contact Mr Smit at Koopmanskloof, phone (021) 865-2574.
Both Koopmanskloof and Mooiplaas have proudly fulfilled all the criteria for becoming members of the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative, verified by the BWI review committee. These criteria include:
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