On this 50th Earth Day, 22 April 2020, we celebrated our home, Earth, and all the wineries in SA and beyond that are producing wine in more natural & organic way, and which are in balance with nature. We asked wineries to share their winery photos and vineyard friends and visitors during this Global Corona lockdown with us (and our new account @WorldInYourBackyard) as part of our first Global Garden Biodiversity Challenge 2020! A BIG thank you to all who joined the first 3-week lockdown challenge. The winners are Vergelegen Wine Estate, Longridge Wine Estate and Le Manoir de Brendel! Thank you for your entries and vital contribution to sustainable wine farming!
Vergelegen Wine Estate
Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West started the Environmental Project, a 10-year alien clearing program to restore natural flora and fauna. It is aimed at combating alien and invasive plant infestation and nurturing the return of natural vegetation, wetlands, birds and animals.
Many thanks to Vergelegen for sending on their wonderful photos of rebirth and sprouting acorns during lockdown in South Africa.
Longridge Wine Estate
Longridge Wine Estate is in touch with Mother Nature with their many different free-ranging resident animals and edible plant species on the farm. They focus on organic and biodynamic farming methods and farm-to-table produce for their fantastic restaurant.
The gorgeous Nguni cattle, ducks, pigs and chickens do most of the hard work on the farm. They manage the pests and produce quality dung for use as fertiliser and composting, not only for their vines but also for their organic veggie garden.
They grow everything from fresh tomatoes, aubergine, herbs and even fruits on the farm for their superb restaurant overlooking Table Mountain.
So looking forward to visiting this proudly South African winery again and tasting the latest from their fine organic wine collection! Truly one of our favourite restaurants in the Cape Winelands!
Le Manoir de Brendel
We love watching how the birds are flocking together during this quiet time!
Thanks for sharing this beautiful golden autumn scene of your visiting flock of guinea fowls from your estate in the Franschhoek Wine Region. Missing that Pinotage and fondly remembering our recent visit for a wine tasting.
Other Contributing Wineries
Aan’t Vette Wine Estate
Another wine farm that participated was Aan’t Vette Wine Estate in Riversdale with their stunning flora images. De Doornkraal 1746 Vinotel also have their own protea nursery helping to re-establish proteas in the wild and for the wildflower industry.
Glorious king and queen proteas photographed in their natural environment on the slopes of Sleeping Beauty and the Langeberg Mountains just outside Riversdale.
The protea is also the national flower of South Africa.
A beautiful dwarf chameleon coming to say hello at the Vinotel and Aan’t Vette Country Kitchen restaurant.
Silvermist Organic Vineyards
Silvermist Organic Vineyards in Constantia Nek, Cape Town, also home to the highly-acclaimed La Colombe Restaurant, uses no artificial chemicals, pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers in their vineyards.
Incredible organic veggies picked on the farm and grown by Breaking Ground Organics.
Skaap Wine
Skaap Wine and Lalapanzi Lodge on the Sir Lowry’s Pass in Somerset West are fortunate to have sweeping views over False Bay and the Helderberg Mountains, and a resident Eagle owl couple!
Their Lalapanzi Lodge was treated to this rainbow across the mountains during lockdown in South Africa.
Look at this fabulous heart-shaped tomato - don't you just love the fruits of the Cape!
Photos: Credit to the contributing wineries - thank you for joining our biodiversity and wine journey.
Other category winners still to be announced and will be featured in our upcoming blogs!
Please continue to share your pictures from your backyard or winery and join our recently launched Global Garden Biodiversity Challenge 2020, Part 2. Follow and share your sightings with @WorldInYourBackyard or @winetots on Instagram.
Show your support by liking our page and subscribing to winetots.com to follow our adventures in the Cape Winelands and beyond!
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