| Area Conserved: |
| 38 ha |
| Wine District: |
| Paarl |
| Owner / Contact Person: |
| Hendrik Laubscher |
| Phone: |
| (021) 873 6911 |
| Website: |
| www.doolhof.com |
| Membership Date: |
| 15 May 2007 |
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Biodiversity highlights: Area conserved – 38ha.
Doolhof Wine Estate is 380 ha in size and lies in a beautiful long valley at the foot of the Bains Kloof Pass Road, east of Wellington. Only 80 ha is utilised for vineyards, buildings, roads and paddocks. The rest of the farm is uncultivated and consists of large tracts of pristine fynbos - but there are also areas that has been invaded by alien species. Doolhof Wine Estate has now embraced the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative as an integrated vision to redevelop the Estate by re-establishing the indigenous vegetation. |
The Kromme River, which is supplemented by water from "Gawie se Water" runs through the farm and is a major natural attraction. However, the beauty of the river is encroached by Black Wattle and other alien species. Extensive clearing began in the winter of 2006 when a stretch of the river closest to the historic homestead was rid of alien vegetation - trees were felled and the stumps painted with approved herbicides. In 2007, another part of the river began to be cleared of aliens to create The River Walk - a path of about 500m winding along the river bank with seven pedestrian bridges crisscrossing the river as well as picnic tables placed in beautiful shady spots so that visitors can to enjoy a glass of cold wine and lunch baskets.At the same time, a start was made in rehabilitating the first 300m of the river bank that was cleared the previous year. In this operation, all tree stumps have been mechanically removed, the land contoured and retaining planks installed. A drip irrigation system has also been installed. During the last weeks of May 2007 an area of about 10 000mē will be planted with indigenous wetland plants, trees, shrubs, perennials and groundcovers. It is estimated that about 150 000 plants will be established.In the next phase of the conservation project, two blocks below the Bains Kloof Pass Road has been identified for ongoing clearing and monitoring to halt alien invasion and to re-establish the fynbos.While the task to restore Doolhof has only begun, progress is already very visible and we have many exciting ideas in store. We believe that Doolhof Estate already demonstrates the relationship between wine and biodiversity and will soon be a showcase for the ideas of the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative. |
