{"id":3422,"date":"2024-07-30T07:22:36","date_gmt":"2024-07-30T05:22:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/book.vergenoegd.co.za\/?p=3422"},"modified":"2026-04-09T08:42:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T06:42:42","slug":"our-back-to-the-future-approach-to-sustainable-farming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vergenoegd.co.za\/nl\/newsroom\/our-back-to-the-future-approach-to-sustainable-farming\/","title":{"rendered":"Our \u201cback To The Future\u201d Approach To Sustainable Farming"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Embracing a \u2018Back to the Future\u2019 philosophy at Vergenoegd L\u00f6w, where sustainable farming practices and innovative techniques harmonize to create award-winning wines rooted in heritage.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-lying and a pebble\u2019s throw from the sea, at Vergenoegd L\u00f6w we like to work with, rather than against nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It entails an increasing focus on regenerative agriculture to build soil health and biodiversity, and to enhance the climate-resilience and fruit quality of our new-generation wines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe take a \u2018back to the future\u2019 approach that combines heritage farming where it makes practical, economic and ecological sense, with precision tools and a new understanding of climate, soil, human and crop relationships,\u201d explains our MD, Corius Visser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all about context. For example, while we\u2019re re-establishing indigenous flora across the estate, we are retaining our ancient blue gum trees. Yes, they are notorious water thieves but take into account we are located just 12m above sea level and that makes us prone to flooding in winter. Blue gums are natural water pumps that help manage the water table. Depending on size, each tree can absorb as many as 300 litres of water per day. They really symbolise what we mean when we talk about our progressive, adaptive approach to sustainable<\/a> farming.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The point of combining tradition with technology, he stresses, is to create a premium wine brand with quality wines that are in balance with their terroir and true to our estate\u2019s almost 330-year heritage. Vergenoegd L\u00f6w was founded in 1696 and is one of the country\u2019s oldest working farms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our farm is just 3,5km from the False Bay coastline, where it is around 3\u00b0C cooler in summer, compared to average temperatures in the Stellenbosch area. The prevailing south-easterly summer winds not only cool our vines to slow and concentrate fruit ripeness but also keep vine disease at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating a balanced ecosystem: Our ponds and eco-corridors not only manage flooding but also support biodiversity, filter water, and prevent soil erosion, showcasing our commitment to sustainable farming practices at Vergenoegd L\u00f6w.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo manage flooding, we have also built several ponds linked to the natural vlei and the river via a series of water-drainage channels across the property. The channels are planted to indigenous reeds and grasses, turning them into wetland eco-corridors. They minimise the impact of intense downpours, filter the water, prevent soil erosion, and provide habitat to numerous animals, birds, and insects.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since our vine replanting programme begun in 2017, direct exposure to the South Easter is managed by planting vine rows in almost the same direction the wind blows to allow it to flow through the vineyards. \u201cThe effect is to cool the vines and minimise the impact of the wind force,\u201d explains Corius. \u201cThe vine-row direction also gives the grapes balanced exposure to, and protection from the sun in mid-summer for optimal ripeness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cInterestingly, old farming records show that the vine row orientation we are following today was used way back by earlier generations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our farm lies almost at the mouth of the Eerste River in what was originally an ancient seabed, rich in sea fossils and minerals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUnusually for the Stellenbosch area, our soils are rich in lime, imparting perfume and elegance to the wines,\u201d Corius says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calcareous soils are well-draining but nevertheless also retain water. Being porous, they retain moisture in periods of dry weather but drain well in times of heavy rain, and vine roots can easily penetrate to the depths. They also cool down vine roots during the hotter summer months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Buzzing with life: Our gardens are filled with indigenous trees and shrubs, thoughtfully designed to support honeybees and promote biodiversity at Vergenoegd L\u00f6w.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our gardens and open spaces are planted to indigenous trees and shrubs with special attention given to plants that can sustain honeybees as a means of encouraging biodiversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vlei and the eco-corridors also play an important role, providing summer grazing for our Dexter cattle,<\/a> introduced to the farm in 2022, fertilizing and restoring the veld by opening it up as they graze. In winter, the cattle graze the various cover crops that are planted between the vines. Apart from feeding on weeds and reducing the need for herbicides, their grazing encourages the regrowth of the cover crops, helping to regulate soil temperatures and avoid the occurrence of bare soil surfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, our Indian Runner ducks, introduced to the farm in 1984 by previous owner John Faure, form part of our estate\u2019s integrated pest management programme. They are partial to snails and other vineyard pests that they eat while enriching the soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, Corius and the team are trialling various permanent cover crop combinations in the vineyards to find ways of reducing tillage and thus disturbance of soil structure. The selected plants are hardy, low-maintenance insectary and mainly indigenous perennials that require little water. Current plantings include kooigoed (Helichrysum petiolare), while future plantings will include wilde-als\/wormwood (Artemisia Afra), buchu (Agathosma renulata) and confetti bush (Coleonema pulchellum). While not indigenous, lavender and rosemary are also included in the trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe want to bring out and do the best for our special enclave that forms part of the Helderberg Wine Route,\u201d Corius states. \u201cVergenoegd means to be contented. And we are, living, farming and savouring wines in balance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our \u201cback to the future\u201d way of farming and sustainable wine practices come in the wake of new ownership and investment, thanks to German entrepreneur, philanthropist, historian and erfenis<\/a> advocate Prof Dr Dr Peter L\u00f6w, who bought our 160ha farm in 2015 and initiated an entire replanting of the vines, now covering almost 55 ha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Vusi and Tamsin in the vineyards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corius oversees all winegrowing and winemaking on our estate. Since 2021, Vusi Dalicuba has been making wines under his direction. Vusi is supported by Tamsin Valentine. Christiaan Cloete recently joined the team as farm manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guests to our farm, located about 40 minutes from Cape Town, can witness our Indian Runner ducks daily at 9:00 and 12:00, when they pass through the farmstead werf on their way to and from the vineyards or the vlei.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get comfortable during your visit and enjoy a taste of our wines, the result of our commitment to sustainable winemaking, in a luxurious, serene environment: the Vergenoegd L\u00f6w Homestead Wine Lounge,<\/a>Vergenoegd L\u00f6w Homestead Wine Lounge, situated in our beautifully restored 1717 manor house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sit back, relax and discover our finely crafted wines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the fireplace ablaze in winter, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, it\u2019s a tranquil space to sit back, relax and discover our finely crafted wines at your own pace, with sommelier George Young and his talented team on hand to expertly guide you (or not, if you prefer to taste on your own).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taste our Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon and Stellenbosch Chardonnay, both cornerstone varieties of our estate, and experience for yourself why these wines are regular award-winners on prestige competition platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wines in our Vergenoegd L\u00f6w range are also served by the glass, in case you\u2019d just like to sip and savour. Book your wijnproeverij<\/a> hier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also offer delicious platters that celebrate heritage tastes, at R360 per platter (serves two). Or try freshly baked roosterkoek<\/em>, at R65 per portion, from Geuwels,<\/a> one of two Bertus Basson restaurants located on our farm. Platters and roosterkoek<\/em> can be ordered between 11:00 and 16:00, from Monday to Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We look forward to hosting you at Vergenoegd L\u00f6w. If you can\u2019t get to us, head over to our wine shop<\/a> and purchase our wines online. We deliver nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Low-lying and a pebble\u2019s throw from the sea, at Vergenoegd L\u00f6w we like to work with, rather than against nature. It entails an increasing focus on regenerative agriculture to build soil health and biodiversity, and to enhance the climate-resilience and fruit quality of our new-generation wines. \u201cWe take a \u2018back to the future\u2019 approach that<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3412,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"Back to the Future: Sustainable Farming at Vergenoegd L\u00f6w","_seopress_titles_desc":"Discover how Vergenoegd L\u00f6w blends heritage farming with innovative sustainable farming practices to craft award-winning wines since 1696.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_seopress_news_disabled":"","_seopress_video_disabled":"","_seopress_video":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas_manual":[],"_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable_all":"","_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas":[],"_angie_page":false,"page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3422","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vergenoegd.co.za\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3422","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vergenoegd.co.za\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vergenoegd.co.za\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vergenoegd.co.za\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vergenoegd.co.za\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3422"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vergenoegd.co.za\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3422\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vergenoegd.co.za\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3412"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vergenoegd.co.za\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3422"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vergenoegd.co.za\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3422"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vergenoegd.co.za\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3422"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}