Harvest 2008 showcases conservation in action in the winelands

The Biodiversity & Wine Initiative, a pioneering partnership between the South African wine industry and the conservation sector, has released its long awaited label. The label, which features a sugar bird on a protea, serves to identify and endorse wines which have been produced in accordance with BWI’s conservation requirements.

According to Inge Kotze, BWI project coordinator “By supporting the BWI members displaying this label, you will be making a significant contribution to the long term conservation of critical natural habitats and species in the Western Cape winelands.”

“The month of May marks the launch of this label in celebration of International Biodiversity Day (22 May 2008). At this stage approximately 30 farms are displaying the label, obviously as marketing drive continues this number will increase,” explains Kotze. “The importance of the label is that it empowers consumers to favour wines which are ‘fynbos-friendly’ and contributing to the conservation of our unique Cape Floral region.

The majority of South Africa’s wine region falls within the highly sensitive Cape Floral Kingdom. This conservation initiative in the wine industry, is supported by the Botanical Society of South Africa and The Green Trust (a WWF – Nedbank partnership) works with committed wine farmers to set aside highly threatened natural habitat on their farms for conservation, while also ensuring that these members farm in an environmentally sensitive and sustainable manner.

Currently, enlisted in BWI are 8 champions, 8 co-operative cellar members and 99 members.

NEWEST CO-OPERATIVE CELLAR MEMBERS: Villiersdorp Cellar and Uitvlucht Co-op Winery.

NEWEST MEMBERS: Wallovale Vineyards, Armajaro Estates, Beaulieu Farm, Simonsig Estate and Muratie Wine Estate.

NEWEST CHAMPION: La Motte is the 8th SA producer to receive champion status.

This brings the total area conserved amongst all the members and champions to 63709 ha which represents some 63% of the total vineyard footprint in the Cape winelands.

For more information on the projects and the conservation stories of participating wine producers, see www.bwi.co.za

free range milk

Fair Cape has taken steps to become the first free range milk supplier in South Africa. This is great news! No hormones added, no animal by-products and happy cows - cows whose well-being is based on Bokomo ‘Cow Comfort Indicators’. Yup, that’s right, there are indicators to ensure your cows are happy & healthy!

A resting cow, taking a cow nap lying on the ground is a happy cow. Cows don’t lie down and contentedly chew the cud if the ground is wet or the living space is too small. Other indicators are chewing the cud (a sign of peaceful contemplation?), well ventilated cow sheds, safe and smooth milking parlours (no cuts and bumps from jagged edges) and ultra clean, non slip walkways.

Well done to Fair Cape for their great green steps, I hope they continue along this green path and possibly they will acquire organic certification for their milk. Perhaps they will also start ‘greening’ their yoghurts and other products, removing preservatives and colourants and artificial flavourants. And maybe they will employ good manufacturing practices and work towards cleaner development reducing their impact on the environment.