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Update on the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative - moving forward with members
by Sue Winter
Since the September edition of Wynboer, where the first 2 BWI members were announced (namely Mooiplaas and Koopmanskloof), the BWI review committee has decided to revise the criteria for membership. This is to encourage a broader base of members, in order to reinforce Wosa's new positioning for brand South Africa, which promotes the biodiversity of the Cape Winelands as a unique selling point, with their new slogan "Variety is in our Nature". To practically demonstrate how this message is being lived out at individual level, examples of producers need to be highlighted where conservation and production goals co-exist side by side, and the uniqueness of the farm's biodiversity story is incorporated into the winery experience.
Graham Howes of Montagne Farm with his alien-free fynbos in the background that he has restored.
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The BWI member criteria have now been simplified and the amount of paperwork reduced to one simple application form, which contains 5 commitments, which the applicant must agree to abide by.
To become a BWI MEMBER, the following (new) criteria apply:
- Read and be familiar with the biodiversity guidelines in section 2 of the IPW guidelines for farms (see www.ipw.co.za), and implement them, where appropriate, to the best of the company's ability.
- Identify the location and conservation priority of the natural habitat on the property and supply the BWI office with a map of the property, clearly demarcating the area to be conserved.
- Responsibly conserve the demarcated biodiversity area and not develop new vineyards in this specific area in the future.
- Obtain an IPW certificate for the farm and cellar by fulfilling all the IPW requirements. A copy of the certificates must be posted to the BWI office.
- Supply the BWI office with information that can be used as the property's "biodiversity story" for marketing purposes. For example, this can include information such as:
- When did you/the company start undertaking conservation actions on the property or start becoming interested in conservation?
- What has been done on the property, i.e. what is the evidence of your conservation commitment?
- What is unique about your property? (This can include natural diversity, cultural and historical features).
- Do you have any figures of rands spent on conservation-related management activities, hectares cleared, number of trees planted etc?
The criteria for champions remain the same (see www.bwi.co.za for more detail). The initiative would like to continue to make the distinction between members and champions in terms of prestige and recognition. Champions will remain praise-worthy, exemplary producers who demonstrate tangible conservation actions and have a good track record of their commitment to biodiversity. Since Vergelegen's champion status was awarded in March 2005, a number of producers are working towards fulfilling the champion criteria - but who will the next champion be ... Delheim, Groote Post, Cloof or perhaps Graham Beck Wines? Read future editions of Wynboer to find out!
The next 2 producers who have received membership status include Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards and Montagne Farm in Franschhoek.
Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards (TMV) is a British owned wine farm located along the base of the Witzenberg Mountains in the beautiful Tulbagh Valley, and is a producer of premium wines, primarily Syrah and Syrah blends. They have set aside 40 - 50ha of natural vegetation on the 192 ha farm as their 'conservation area' under the BWI initiative - this encompasses three different types of vegetation, namely Breede Alluvium Fynbos (classified as an endangered veld type), Breede Shale Renosterveld (classified as vulnerable) and Breede Shale Fynbos (also vulnerable).
The scenic views of Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards and the Witzenberg Mountains in the background.
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TMV are certified organic with SGS, and therefore stick to the strict policy of "no chemical sprays", TMV rely on other ingenious ways to control pests. This can be done by attracting beneficial insects to the vineyards at the right time of year. Bird perches have also been erected on the farm, as roosting places for birds of prey which help control the populations of rodents in the vineyards. Bird life is abundant on the farm and there are frequent sightings of Hoopoe, Jackal Buzzards, Steppe Buzzards and various owls. There are also sightings of Duiker, Bat-eared foxes, Rooikat, Civet cat and evidence of otters. For more information, contact Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards by e-mail on info@tmv.co.za or visit their website at www.tmv.co.za.
Montagne Farm located in Franschhoek, and owned by Graham Howes is a leader in the Franschhoek Valley in terms of alien clearing and fynbos restoration. Apart from delivering grapes to the Franschhoek Cellar, Graham has also spent enormous effort over the last 25 years clearing pines and other alien trees from his mountain slopes, creating a day-night difference compared to the surrounding properties in the valley. Graham has also planted over 600 indigenous trees to enhance the biodiversity value of the property. Montagne Farm has 2 delightful guest cottages (Bird Cottage and Frog Lodge) which they rent out to those seeking a quiet getaway and fynbos walks. For more information, phone Graham Howes at (021) 876-2136.
For more information on the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative go to www.bwi.co.za or contact Sue Winter at (021) 886-8426 or bwi@sawb.co.za.
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