Area Conserved: 4942 ha Wine District: Breedekloof Owner / Contact Person: Pieter Cronje Phone: (023) 3491110 Website: www.uniwines.co.za Membership Date: 22 November 2007

The Louwshoek Voorsorg Wine Cellar was founded in 1956 with a modest grape intake of 2,500 tons. In December 2001 the name of the cellar was changed to Daschbosch in honor of Daschbosch farm, one of the first four farms in the Rawsonville district. Production has grown considerably and at the moment the 20 member farms produce approximately 16,000 tons. We strive to deliver market driven quality and styles for local and export markets. Daschbosch is situated in the heart of the Breedekloof Valley and is characterised by magnificent landscapes and towering cliffs, crystal clear streams and indigenous flora. We depend on the nature to provide us with everything that goes into a bottle of our finest and this is why it is important for us to maintain a very close relationship with the environment that sustains us. In the last 6 months Daschbosch Cellar was also part of a very exciting amalgamation with Groot Eiland Cellar. The tale of two synergies….when two well-established brands get together and form one entity – uniWines Group.

The biodiversity features on the five priority farms are as follows:

Dwarsberg of Mr. Ennie Stofberg:
The conservation area consists of some vast mountain areas. The vegetation types are mostly Hawekwa Sandstone Fynbos, but some Boland Granite Fynbos and small patches of Breede Alluvium Fynbos also occur. Also included in the conservation area, are some three kilometres of riparian zones along the Holsloot River. The upper reaches are still in pristine condition. ,,
The farm offers various eco-tourism activities such as a short hiking trial, a mountain bike trial, fly-fishing, as well as accommodation and camping. Only indigenous trees were planted at the picnic site.
The authors of the ‘Field guide to the Dragonflies of S.A.’’, did some research on the dragonflies occurring on this farm and some 15 species, many of them endemic to the area were found. A comprehensive bird checklist also exists.

Alartkraal of Mr. A. Stofberg:
The conservation area consists of some Breede Alluvium Fynbos areas along the river. This endangered vegetation type is restricted to lowlands in the Worcester area and consists of many Red Data Book species. ,,
Some of the riparian sections on this property are still in pristine condition, with indigenous species such as Wild Almond trees, Rhus species, as well as Palmiet still in tact.
This section of the Holsloot River is managed by the piscatorial society of Cape Town and fly fisherman numbers are restricted, to keep the impact on the river at a minimum.
The conservation area also includes large areas of Hawequa Sandstone Fynbos: ,,
Interesting plant species, as Aloe plicatilis (Waaieraalwyn) is found on this property. This unique and striking tree aloe is found only in a small area of the Western Cape Mountains.

Eensgevonden of Mrs. S McDermont:
Eensgevonden, with its national monument homestead (1720’s), is situated between Rawsonville and Worcester, near the Brandvlei Dam, at the foot of the Cedos- and Sidouw mountains. ,,
One of the natural areas at Eensgevonden consists of 402 hectares, is called Watervalkloof and is in an interesting position geographically. It forms an ecotone between the Western Cape Fynbos Biome and the Succulent Karoo Biome and plant species form both biomes can be seen side by side, as well as a great variety of bird species.

Louwshoek of Mr. Bernardi du Plessis:
The conservation area consists of 35 ha of mostly Breede Alluvium Fynbos. This endangered vegetation type is restricted to lowland areas in the Worcester area. ,,
Some of the riparian sections on this property are still in pristine condition, with Wild almond trees, Rhus species and Palmiet still occurring.
The water quality seems to be very good and according to the landowner some of the indigenous fish species still occur in the upper parts of the river.

Ebenezer of Mr. Willem Viljoen:
The conservation area of 600 ha consists mainly of Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos in good condition. The vegetation is typical of central dry mountain fynbos. Species encountered included dense stands of Leucadendron salignum, Leacadendron rubrum, Protea nitida, Serruria acrocarpo and Heeria argentea.
Other shrubby, succulent and herby perennial species seen near the road side included Aspalathus excelsa, Dimrophotheca nudicalis, Phaenocama prolifera, Cliffortia ruscifolia, Pelargonium ovale, Pelargonium tabulare, Lebostemon fruiticosus and Oscularia deltoides
Geophytes seen included Spiloxene capensis, Hesprantha falcate, Lachenalia orchioides, Gladiolus alatus and Boophone.