Our Partners

BIODIVERSITY AND WINE INITIATIVE

“LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR A THRIVING ECO-TOURISM INDUSTRY IN THE WINE LANDS”

Amid local and international growing concern about climate change, the Western Cape’s groundbreaking Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI) has not only captured the world’s attention but assured “green” consumers that the wine they buy from member estates is produced in eco-friendly vineyards and cellars.

Established in 2004 by Wines of South Africa, some 70 wine producers, including Paul Cluver, have committed to BWI’s sustainable winemaking principles.

BWI is dedicated to conserving about 40 per cent of the Western Cape’s winemaking land for conservation. Since much of winemaking land lies in the Cape Floral Kingdom, the world’s richest and smallest plant kingdom and a World Heritage site, BWI is also aiding the growth of a thriving eco-tourism industry in the wine lands.

Members, audited by the Integrated Production of Wine Scheme, are equipped with proof that sustainable production guidelines are being followed on estates and in wine cellars. They contract never to develop a designated portion of natural vegetation on their land; "champion" members have established a full conservation management plan. Champions also commit to conserving at least 10 per cent of their farms' natural area.

Supported by the Green Trust, BWI aims include the protection of natural habitat and minimizing further loss, the reintroduction of indigenous flora and fauna and the adoption of sustainable wine-growing practices across South Africa’s wine-growing areas.

A founding signatory of BWI, Paul Cluver has reintroduced several species of wildlife on the estate. Its partnership with Slowine has introduced bioversity trails around the Groenland Mountain and its terroir is readily expressed in the award-winning range of Paul Cluver wines

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De Rust Estate – Kogelberg Biosphere

"NATURAL RESOURCES CREATE HARMONY AND
BALANCE BETWEEN MAN AND NATURE"

In the midst of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, a marine and floral kingdom that stretches from Gordon’s Bay to Bot River vlei and inland to Grabouw and the Groenland Mountain, De Rust Estate is part of a fynbos floral kingdom with an incredible 1600 different plant species. This makes it one of the world’s richest sites for plant diversity.

The holistic concept of the Biosphere links conservation, development and the sustainable use of natural resources to create harmony and balance between man and nature.

The De Rust Estate was originally bought by Dr Paul Clüver’s great grandfather to provide summer grazing for livestock. Over the next few decades, extensive fruit orchards were established. Dr Cluver soon realized that the high, cool Elgin Mountain plateau close to the cold Atlantic and protected by mountain ranges was ideally situated for the production of premium variety wines. After the Elgin area was formally identified as a cool climate wine-growing appellation in the 1980s and with the aim of unlocking the potential of the slow-ripening grapes with their delicate aromas and fruit character similar to that of Burgundy, he planted the first vines in 1986.

De Rust was originally planted to Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Weisser Riesling. The early 1990s saw the addition of new clone Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. Mindful of the management of quality from vineyard to bottle, a small, made-to-measure cellar was erected with the emphasis on hand-crafted premium quality wines. The Paul Cluver wine cellar was the first to be established in the Elgin appellation.

The Thandi Project

"WITH LOVE, GROW TOGETHER "

An example of the Clüver family’s commitment to the greater farm community, the Thandi Project is a ground-breaking initiative with Dr. Paul Clüver at the forefront. It is a unique partnership between the government, the farm community and private enterprise. With its aim the creation of ownership, empowerment and a sustainable business entity for the local community, a 200 hectare farm was created in 1996 by combining uncultivated land on the Paul Cluver Estate with newly-felled forest on state-owned land.

Initially, the farm focused on fruit production, with apples, pears and plums finding a ready market. However, the suitability of the land for the growing of high quality grapes soon saw wine production taking over. There will ultimately be 80ha under vines.

Thandi wines are now available internationally with the marketing support of Vinfruco, testimony to Thandi's vision: "With love grow together".

Visit www.thandi.com for more information.