Paarl
The Paarl wine region has a wealth of diversity to discover. From the large international wine companies to the small boutique wineries, the producers of Paarl have shown their commitment to farming using sustainable growing methods and preserving their unique natural heritage.
The Berg River flows through this beautiful valley with its fertile soils and it's surrounded by majestic mountains. Central to the region is Paarl Mountain - the historic town itself is situated beneath this large granite outcrop, formed by three rounded domes, the prominent one being called Paarl (which means pearl) Rock as it gleams in the early morning light, especially after it has rained. Their age is estimated at 500 million years. To the northwest there's the Paardeberg, to the east are the Klein Drakenstein Moutnains and to the southwest you'll find the Simonberg.
A number of biodiversity projects have been initiated on the slopes of these mountains and there are also projects aimed at rehabilitating and protecting the wetlands areas in the plains. To read more about some of these projects, click on the links below:
BWI Members
www.avondalewines.com
www.backsberg.co.za
www.blackpearlwines.com
www.kwv.co.za
www.perdeberg.co.za
www.seidelberg.co.za
Simonsvlei Wetlands Trust
www.simonsvlei.com
Few towns have been as blessed as Paarl has with an area of unspoilt natural beauty right on its doorstep. The Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve has a landscape of fynbos vegetation dominated by massive granite rocks set among ancient wild olive, roc candlewood and wagon trees, and comprises 1 910ha. There are several viewpoints which offer panoramic views towards Table Mountain and the ocean in the west, and the Boland Mountain in the east. A network of paths makes it an ideal area in which to walk.
The vegetation on Paarl Mountain is of particular interest because it represents a form of fynbos which grows on granite clay. This is rare, occurring mainly in the foothill of the mountains between Somerset West and Wellington. Here and on the neighbouring Paardeberg, it has been threatened by agricultural development.
Small antelope have been reintroduced and other mammals include dassie, porcupine and mountain hare. Predators recorded on the mountain are lynx, saddle or black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, genet, Cape grey mongoose and water mongoose. Leopards from the surrounding mountains visit the reserve now and again.
The fynbos vegetation also supports a number of bird species including South Western Cape endemics such as the Cape sugarbird and orange-breasted sunbird. Raptors include black eagle, booted eagle, jackal buzzard, steppe Buzzard (in summer), peregrine falcon eagle and the occasional gymnogene.
The Meulwater Wild Flower Reserve was laid out in 1931. The Meulwater mountain stream runs through the garden which has in the course of time been developed to its present state. Here you can get an idea of the impressive variety of plants on Paarl Mountain.
