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| Area Conserved: |
| 4500 ha |
| Wine District: |
| Worcester |
| Owner / Contact Person: |
| C.P. Conradie |
| Phone: |
| (023) 3427 025 |
| Website: |
| www.conradie-vineyards.co.za |
| Membership Date: |
| 22 January 2007 |
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Biodiversity highlights: Area conserved – 4500ha.
This farm consists of an incredible 4500 ha of mostly pristine natural vegetation , with a wide variety of fauna and flora. Vaalribbok, steenbok, duiker, grysbok, klipspringer, caracal, leopard, bat-eared foxes, black-backed jackal, honey badger, Cape clawless otters, baboons, as well as a wide variety of birds can still be seen. |
Conradie Family Vineyards is situated in the Nuy Valley, against the foothills of the Langeberg Mountains. The farms Werda, La Motte and Glen Oak have been in the Conradie family for five generations. Johannes Conradie bought Werda, the original main farm, for his son Joseph, early in the nineteen century. Originally they farmed with sheep, ostriches and grapes were produced for raisons only. A cellar was built in the early nineteen fifties and various awards were won. These included the General Smuts trophy for South African young wine Champion in 1952, and 1958. After an absence of 40 years, the Conradies (C.P. Conradie) started making their own wine again in 2004. From 1963 to 2004 all grapes were delivered to the nearby Nuy co-operative cellar. Besides making wine, the Conradies, were also involved with conservation of this unique area. Pieter Conradie, son of Joseph, were honoured by Cape Nature conservation for his efforts to conserve black eagles and leopards and even today, these species still occur on their farms. Various projects (especially regarding black eagles), with the assistance of Cape Nature Conservation were initiated on their farms. These farms consist of an incredible 4500 ha of mostly pristine natural vegetation , with a wide variety of fauna and flora. Vaalribbok, steenbok, duiker, grysbok, klipspringer, caracal, leopard, bat-eared foxes, black-backed jackal, honey badger, Cape clawless otters, baboons, as well as a wide variety of birds can still be seen. The upper section of the river is still in pristine condition and it could be possible that some of the indigenous fish species still occur here. Mr. Conradie will photograph fish species found on the farm, for future identification. With the assistance of Working for Water large-scale projects to clear the farm from Port Jackson were completed and regular follow-up operations are planned. The Conradies are committed to ongoing conservation of this vast ‘wilderness’ area and will implement the management recommendations supplied by the BWI extension officer. |
