Cloof is newest BWI Champion
Darling's Cloof and its neighbouring property Burghers Post have been named as the newest Champions of the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI), joining Graham Beck Wines and Vergelegen as holders of this exclusive accolade.
Champion status is the highest form of certification from the BWI and is reserved for producers who are exemplary in their protection of the Cape Floral Kingdom (CFK). Cloof and Burghers Post (Cloof's most important source of 'bought-in' grapes) have received the honour in recognition of the 610 hectares of Swartland Bulb Veld and 598 hectares of Atlantis Sand Fynbos that are under conservation on the farms in an area that is three times the size of the vineyard plantings on the two properties.
Producers eligible for the award must also prove their commitment to environmental responsibility, with factors such as their management of cellar waste water, and use and storage of products for vineyard application taken into consideration.
The management of both farms is the responsibility of Darling-born and bred Peter Duckitt. Having had an extensive alien plant clearing programme in place for 10 years, he recently appointed a full-time conservation manager to ensure on-going conservation of pristine areas, and the rehabilitation of cleared or previously cultivated areas.
The diversity of plants in the CFK (Table Mountain alone has more species than the whole of the UK) is a product of the varying growing conditions around the Western Cape. Whereas indigenous flora respond to these conditions by evolving new species, vines respond by producing grapes that demonstrate variety in the wines made from them.
"As with the indigenous flora on our estate, the individual character of our wines can be attributed directly to our terroir," comments Cloof's Oscar Foulkes. "Single vineyard wines like the Crucible Shiraz and Cabernet Franc-influenced Lynchpin display specific characteristics of such intensity and concentrated flavour that make them uniquely Cloof. Our access to Burghers Post fruit is a great asset, as evidenced by another single-vineyard wine, The Very Sexy Shiraz.”
Further information can be found at www.bwi.co.za and www.cloof.co.za
16 February 2007 - issued by Cloof
