Hermanuspietersfontein Wynelder has been named after the original name given in 1855 to Hermanus in Walker Bay, South Africa. Hermanus Pieters came to the Cape in 1815. He was a Dutch school teacher at Boontjieskraal near Caledon. During his travels between farms, Pieters discovered a spring and grazing for his sheep on these shores. He camped and fished near a milkwood forest to which he would return many times. He told the fishermen and farmers about it and soon the spring became known to all as Hermanus Pieters se Fonteyn, many years after the founding of Hermanuspietersfontein in 1855, the local postmaster had the name shortened to facilitate his job.

The wine farms, Waboomsrivier and the adjacent Waterval in the Sunday’s Glen wine ward near Stanford, now known as Hermanuspietersfontein Boerdery, is rich in biodiversity, with a variety of different ecosystems and processes that allow life to persist.

The conservation area consists of 170 ha pristine Mountain fynbos. A further 50 hectares comprises one third natural (mostly in pristine condition) corridors (streams/seasonal wetland areas) and two thirds land previously planted with fynbos species for the flower market. Some of these areas have already recovered well and fynbos has re-established well. Much effort has been expended to clear the entire farm of alien vegetation and follow-up clearing is a high priority. The farm is a haven for a variety of wild animals like duiker, Reebok, caracal, and baboon. Leopard spoor is often spotted.

The Hermanuspietersfontein wines must be seen as members of one large family which hails from the family farm. As things go in families, every member has his own story, idiosyncrasies and secrets. Some members are named for forebears, others carry nicknames which stick. Die Bartho and Die Arnoldus are named for grandfathers and uncles. Die Martha for the progenatrix, Kleinboet is always the youngest son in the family and there is a black sheep in every family….. our’s we call Swartskaap.

To escape the madness of the city you can stay in one of the charming guest cottages. From there you can do various walks, ride your mountain bike, ***or*** book a guided 4x4 trip. Fynbos enthusiasts will find the farm really thrilling and birdwatchers will not be disappointed - they use bird-friendly farming methods to ensure a huge variety of bird species.

Hermanuspietersfontein is the first wine farm in the Walker Bay wine region to be declared a champion. The Environmental Management Plan was drawn up by the well-known author and nature conservationist, Gerald McCann (028 284 9179).