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| Area Conserved: |
| 422 ha |
| Wine District: |
| Bonnievale |
| Owner / Contact Person: |
| Lesca De Wet |
| Phone: |
| (023) 615 1853 |
| Website: |
| www.dewetshof.com |
| Membership Date: |
| 06 September 2006 |
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Biodiversity highlights: Area conserved – 422ha.
The 'Nature in Concert' Conservation Area on this estate is on the Bon Vallon side of the farm and comprises 422 hectares of pristine natural habitat. This area has been kept aside as a conservation area, since Danie De Wet purchased the farm in 1974. |
De Wetshof Estate is situated between Robertson and Bonnievale. The magnificent fauna and flora of the Worcester/Robertson Karoo surround the vineyards.
The 'Nature in Concert' Conservation Area on this estate is on the Bon Vallon side of the farm and comprises 422 hectares of pristine natural habitat. Except for some blue gums along the river section, no alien vegetation is present. To protect he diverse fauna and flora, the entire area has been enclosed with jackal-proof fencing and the area can only be accessed by foot.
In 2005 most of the plant species were identified and recorded by Jane Banks. Some of the interesting species still found in abundance are:
Culclea undulata (Common Guarri). A fine example of this tree can be found in the middle of a Pinot Noir Vineyard. It is estimated that this tree is more that 200 years old.
Other species are Boophane distichia (century plant), used by the Bushmen as an ingredient in making arrow poison, and Crassula orbiculata (pigs ears), still used by the local community as a poultice for abscessed ears as well as to remove warts.
The famous Bushman's Path, between Bonnievale and McGregor, traveled by these nomadic people, runs through the farm. Due to this, numerous flint stones used by the Bushman have been found on the banks of this section of Breede River.
The Breede River attracts a myriad of bird life to the Estate. The valley resounds to the call of Fish eagles, while four different types of Kingfisher are also found along the river. Other specie such as egrets, cormorants, spur-winged geese, jackal buzzards still frequent this area.
An indigenous tree-planting programme has started along the banks of the river. Gardenia thunbergia (katjiepiering), Podocarpus elongates (Breede River Yellowwood), the smallest of the yellow wood species are amongst the species used to rehabilitate the riparian zones.
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