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| Area Conserved: |
| 2888 ha |
| Wine District: |
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| Owner / Contact Person: |
| Heimie and Stefaan Schoeman |
| Phone: |
| 082 826 7888 |
| Website: |
| wine@bergwater.co.za |
| Membership Date: |
| 20 June 2006 |
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Biodiversity highlights: Area conserved – 2888ha.
2888 ha of Succulent Karoo in good condition are conserved, including the following veld types: Prince Albert Succulent Karoo, North Swartberg Sandstone Fynbos and some Swartberg Shale Renosterveld. |
Bergwater Vineyards is situated twenty kilometers from Prince Albert. Since the first vineyards were planted on this estate in 1999 the owners decides to farm in harmony with nature and to minimize all impacts on the natural environment. Vineyards were only planted according to the availability of irrigation water. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry have authorized all water use on the farm. No natural (virgin) land has been plough up to plant these vineyards, but only existing cultivated land was used. Only 70 ha of the 3000 ha farm have been cultivated.
Since the development of this wine farm, all livestock has been withdrawn from the veld.
The conservation area (2888ha) existing of two farms; Bergwater and Baviaanskloof, borders on the Swartberg Nature Reserve in the south and unto rugged, mountainous areas not suitable for livestock, in the north.
Most of the natural area is in good condition, with most of the northern part of the farm, consisting of Prince Albert Succulent Karoo and some North Swartberg Sandstone Fynbos, where the farm borders onto the reserve. On the lower foothills some Swartberg Shale Renosterveld can still be found.
The unique situation of the vineyards as well as the high quality of the irrigation water help to create excellent wines with a distinct taste.
In this arid part of the country, alien vegetation is not much of a problem and the few Poplars growing near the seasonal stream are well controlled.
With the vineyards surrounded by vast stretches of natural veld, Kudu and Duiker cause some damage to the vines, but only 'environmentally-friendly' methods will be used to deter these animals.
The owners of Bergwater want to keep this beautiful land as natural as possible and want to share this karoo experience with visitors to the cellar. An interpretive trail, to give visitors an experience of the unique vegetation of this area, is planned. |
