Zevenwacht Wine Estate, situated on the Stellenbosch Wine Route on the urban edge of Kuilsriver, was awarded WWF Conservation Champion Status recently and has signed a five-year conservation agreement to solidify its commitment to continued stewardship efforts within the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy (BHRC).

Visionary owner of Zevenwacht Denise Johnson and her late husband Harold bought the farm in 1992 and were founding members of the BHRC in the same year.  Zevenwacht is a family-run farm, and according to Denise, the focus will remain on making the most of the land and producing top-quality wines in an environmentally friendly manner.

“More than 80 hectares of the farm comprises natural veld that mostly consists of critically endangered Swartland Granite Renosterveld.  We have always loved sharing the farm with the people who live in and visit our area.  Zevenwacht is part of the 130km BHRC mountain bike trail network and has a hiking trail on the farm – a section of which is dog friendly,” says Denise.

It is no small feat to be awarded WWF Conservation Championship Status.  The farm and cellar had to achieve a minimum of 70% on their IPW (Integrated Production of Wine) official audit.  Strong emphasis is placed on biodiversity, water and energy preservation and conservation.  Efficient use of water irrigation systems, water recycling, protection of water resources, the use of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies must be incorporated in the annual plan of operation that WWF reviews annually.

Zevenwacht has solar panels on their cellar roof, uses mulch in their vineyards and continues to support the BHRC in their conservation efforts, like snare patrols and as a donor site to the Renosterveld rewilding project. Zevenwacht is steeped in history, with the iconic manor house originally builts as Bosman’s cottage by Daniel Bosman and then extended into a T-shape with the neoclassical front façade in 1800.  Remnants of the mining activities of the early 1900’s are still visible in bygone equipment such as a coal-fired boiler and an old steam winding engine, used to lower men down the shaft.  This area is characterised by granite-hosted, vein-type, tin deposits that contribute to the distinct wine characteristics of the Tin Mine range.

‘We treasure our rich heritage and the vital role we play as custodians of the land to preserve our natural and historic heritage for future generations,” says Denise.  Zevenwacht also offers picnics, wine tasting, hiking trails, MTB trails, accommodation, spa, restaurant and conference facilities.

THE BOTTELARY HILLS RENOSTERVELD CONSERVANCY

The Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy (BHRC) was founded in 1992 and registered as an NPO in 2008. BHRC members are committed to sustainable farming and wine production practices.

Membership has grown from 20 members in 2018 to 56 members in 2025 and stretches across 6 800 hectares, of which 1 600 hectares (23%) is natural veld.

The BHRC is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, considered one of the smallest yet most biodiverse hot spots and home to critically endangered Renosterveld fynbos. The BHRC is part of the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve).

According to BHRC manager Christel Liebenberg, the mission of the BHRC is to care for, expand and sustain the large tracts of Renosterveld fynbos in its area and to launch projects to better the lives of the people living and working in the BHRC.

The BHRC is a vital buffer zone on the urban edge that strives to protect and maintain the area’s rich biodiversity. Game such as caracal, grysbok, grey duiker, porcupine, bat-eared foxes, cape foxes and otters still roam naturally.  Many bird species are also found in the Bottelary Hills.

The BHRC Anti-Poaching action group, under the leadership of the Bottelary Rural Response Unit, is very active on the Bottelary road.  Numerous suspects were apprehended and indigenous flora were confiscated thanks to the local community reporting suspects spotted in possession. Local authorities are notified and the necessary action is taken by law enforcement and Cape Nature.

The BHRC applauds the efforts of individual members to upgrade their conservation status with Mooiplaas, Koopmanskloof and Steeneveld Private Nature Reserves and De Morgenzon, Mooiplaas, Neethlingshof, Hartenberg, Koopmanskloof and Zevenwacht WWF Conservation Agreements.

Conservation efforts in the BHRC include:  alien invasive clearing, fighting the illegal harvesting of critically endangered Renosterveld fynbos, strategic firebreaks, recycling, youth development and regular snare patrols with the Cape Leopard Trust.  The Cape Leopard Trust is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation engaged in innovative research, conservation and education projects established to facilitate and promote the conservation of biological diversity.

DISCOVER RENOSTERVELD

Lynda Muller, founder of Discover Renosterveld, is among the environmentalists who believe that it’s not too late to try to rescue, restore and recover the almost lost bits of the Renosterveld.  She has been a horticulturist for more than 40 years and is an expert in producing Fynbos.

“We at Discover Renosterveld are involved in rewilding on the farms and urban environments and assisting with Renosterveld management so that the very threatened Renosterveld can be showcased in all its glory.  We support planting locally endemic Renosterveld back into the landscape, wild or in gardens.  To preserve the gene pool of the fragile environment, it is important that we consider the locally endemic species before introducing similar species from a different ecotype,” explains Lynda, who is driving several Renosterveld rewilding projects in the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy.

One of the flagship projects is the Info Garden on Mooiplaas Wine Estate (the first WWF Conservation Champion in the BHRC.  Funded with initial start-up funding by WWF Conservation Champions activation fund, the project was launched in 2022 and is making steady progress.

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS

The MTB trails remain the key income driver for the BHRC with annual and day permits sold at various park and ride points.  The trails are well-maintained by TrailBlazers.

The BHRC joined the Wine Lands Regional trail network in 2023 and negotiated a top-up permit with Tygerberg MTB Club in 2024.  Being part of a larger cycling community provides valuable exposure for the Bottelary trails.

BHRC and Wine Lands annual permit holders have free access to THE GOAT and Polkadraai Bike parks at Devonbosch and the Zetler Strawberry Farm on Polkadraai Road.

Funds generated through the MTB trails are allocated specifically to trail maintenance and invasive alien clearing.  Trail Running events fund smaller community development needs.  The local youth remain a key focus as they are the custodians of the future. The BHRC is grateful to all supporting organisations such as the Cape Leopard Trust, Pebbles, Anna Foundation, Grant in Aid, Stellenbosch Municipality, Cape Winelands District Municipality, Cycle2Ride and the Table Mountain Fund’s Fynbos Forever Programme.