Area Conserved: 311 ha Wine District: Overberg Owner / Contact Person: Sebastian Phone: (028) 284 9194 Website: www.beaumont.co.za

Beaumont Wines is situated on the historic Bot River farm called “Compagnes Drift”, which was once an eighteenth century outpost for the Dutch East India Company. It lies on the southeastern slopes of the Groenlandberg Mountains, a mere hour from Cape Town on the way to Hermanus. Since purchasing the farm in the early 1970’s, Raoul and Jayne Beaumont have developed a family-run winery producing a range of quality wines that reflect the individuality of this environment.

With only 34 hectares under vine, the vast majority of the farm – a total of 400 hectares – consists of pristine, fynbos-rich mountainside which forms part of the Groenlandberg Conservancy Area, of which the Beaumont’s were founder members. Lying at the foot of this large mountain range, much of the farm is an extension of the indigenous flora and fauna, and the Beaumonts have always actively protected this natural heritage. The Jackals River and the Bot River flow through the property, and there is an ongoing project to clear the riverbanks of alien vegetation. Already, 3km of river frontage have been cleared to date, allowing the natural vegetation to re-establish itself and more water to become available to the environment.

The farm is a treasure for bird-watchers, lovers of vernacular architecture, wine tasters, artists, ramblers … and anyone who simply needs a quite countryside getaway. Two beautifully restored old farm cottages, one being an original eighteenth century mill house, offer serene accommodation and the ideal base from which to explore the diverse uniqueness of this special part of the world, where conservation and creation go hand in hand.