Delheim Wine Estate in Stellenbosch recently opened their Fynbos Vineyard Pilot Project, funded by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) South Africa.
The project integrates indigenous fynbos with the farm’s vineyard operations, ensuring the fynbos not only flourishes alongside Delheim’s renowned wines, but also enables guests to engage with nature in an interactive way.
The Cape Floral Kingdom, which Delheim is situated in, is a globally recognised biodiversity hot spot and has the highest known concentration of plant species in the world, with nearly 70% of the species growing nowhere else on earth.
Along with fynbos, renosterveld is another highly threatened vegetation type in South Africa and also at the centre of Delheim’s conservation efforts.
With both under significant threat from agricultural expansion, the challenge lies in balancing farming and development with the preservation of this unique ecosystem.
Fynbos Vineyard Pilot Project
From a viticultural perspective we believe the more natural the vineyard environment the healthier and more expressive the grapes,” says Corlia Erasmus, farm manager at Delheim, whose passion for biodiversity conservation inspired the launch of this project.
“We have committed to establish 10% fynbos corridors between our vineyards each year to re-establish indigenous vegetation, conserve biodiversity, and sustain natural ecosystems.”
The WWF grant will fund the first year of Delheim’s vineyard project.
The wine farm secured funding under the Fynbos Restoration category.
The project, in collaboration with Discover Renosterveld, involves planting indigenous fynbos species such as Kooigoed, Botterblom and Vygies within its Riesling vineyards, creating natural fynbos corridors that promote biodiversity and protect the soil from erosion and invasive species to enhance vineyard health.
The Riesling vineyards are conveniently located in closest proximity to the restaurant for guests to peruse.
Currently, Delheim will continue to plant fynbos in every second row of the Riesling vineyards.
“Integrating fynbos corridors between Delheim’s vineyards provides habitats for pollinators, birds, and beneficial predator insects while enhancing soil health with beneficial microbes to create healthier ecosystems,” explains Lynda Muller from Discover Renosterveld.
Bringing fynbos to the guests
Delheim also hosts unique nature-inspired experiences throughout the year, such as its annual harvest festival, mushroom foraging, bird watching and volunteer alien plant hacking every second Saturday of the month at sunrise.
Delheim’s fynbos-inspired events include a Fynbos Cupcake and Wine Pairing as well as a unique Delheim Fynbos Botanical Tasting, recently hosted in collaboration with Giselle Courtney, founder of Cape Town Fynbos Experience. Guests were introduced to the aromatic flavours of edible fynbos shrubs that can be used as seasonings, particularly those found in the renosterveld such as Wild Rosemary and Snow Bush.
Conserving fynbos at Delheim
Delheim was recognised as a WWF Conservation Champion and winner of the Best of Wine Tourism Great Wine Capitals of the World 2024 Conservation Pioneer.
By implementing no-till farming, planting cover crops and reducing water consumption through an innovative recycling system, Delheim ensures its practices are aligned with its conservation ethos.
Delheim is also actively involved in alien vegetation clearing projects and the restoration of endangered renosterveld habitats.
Collaborating with Discover Renosterveld, the farm continues to merge its sustainable farming practices with conservation goals. Its latest bold step in conserving South Africa’s unique biome is the Fynbos Vineyard Pilot Project.
