Passionate about New World Wines

Paul Cluver Wines

Nature Friendly

Paul Cluver Wines is situated in Elgin on the De Rust estate. De Rust has been in the family since Dr Paul Cluver's great grandfather's time. Dr Cluver has long since been a conservation supporter, having started undertaking conservation measures on the estate since 1970. Dr Cluver is still the chairman of the Groenlandberg Conservancy, which he helped initiate in 1998. Today the conservancy spans some 34 000ha, named after the Groenlandberg and Nature Reserve, which is the core of the conservancy. Furthermore, Paul Cluver Wines falls within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve area, declared by UNESCO. De Rust is one of the first farms in South Africa to enter into a stewardship contract agreement with CapeNature to conserve the pristine habitat on the property in perpetuity, by means of provisions attached to the property's title deeds. The conserved area is in excess of 1000ha, and is now called the Cluver Family Reserve. It is being managed according to a management plan that was drawn up by staff of the CapeNature Stewardship Programme. This reserve includes a game camp for antelope that used to occur in the area. The property has 3 types of vegetation: Elgin Shale Fynbos, Western Ruens Shale Renosterveld and Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, the first two of which are critically endangered. Paul Cluver Wines is a member of the Green Mountain Eco Route which has as its slogan 'blending wine and biodiversity'. This is a new project that the Cluvers have helped initiate, which has developed a tourism wine route that is strongly linked to the biodiversity values of the area, and also promotes the Groenlandberg Conservancy.

Organic / Biodynamic

Paul Cluver Wines manages the farm in keeping with the standards of Integrated Production of Wine (IPW). IPW is a system whereby Mother Nature is employed to her full potential with as little human interference as possible. When implemented correctly this system leads to both environmentally friendly and profitable wine production.

Water Conservation policies

Paul Cluver Wines has got several water purification dams on the farm for the management of waste water and was hailed by the department of water affairs for the way in which we handle our waste water. To ensure the effective use of water with regards to irrigation we make use of a neutron probe, together with evaporation measurements coupled with crop factors and a water bomb measure the actual water stress of the plants before we irrigate. We are thus able to ensure that we irrigate with the highest possible degree of efficiency.

Recycling of dry goods

Paul Cluver Wines is in the process of implementing a system of recycling for all its waste products including glass and paper. All organic material is used to produce fertilizer.

Actions to neutralise carbon footprint

We are doing everything possible to reduce the use of energy starting with the effective measurement of our energy, ranging from fuel and electricity usage. We have also been working with WWF and the Stellenbosch University to help determine our Carbon Footprint. The biggest hurdle is however that nowhere in the world is there reliable methodology for the objective determination of a carbon footprint. WWF has also criticised the planting of trees especially in an area like the Western Cape where trees were not part of the natural habitat. Once the industry has determined the right course of action we will be following that.

Social responsibility

Paul Cluver Wines has a baby care centre and a crèche with over 30 children. Paul Cluver Wines has also provided land and took the leadership in providing a school for the farm workers children in 1957. The school currently has over 600 learners and the Chairperson of the school is Karin Cluver. Paul Cluver Wines also formed one of the first ever empowerment projects in South Africa, which is one of the most successful empowerment projects of its kind in the country. The farm has over 200 shareholders which were previously disadvantaged and owns almost 200 hectares of land. A large proportion of the 200 shareholders work for Paul Cluver Wines.