Schalkenbosch
Schalkenbosch Wine Estate has been awarded Championship status by the Biodiversity in Wine Initiative, joining 14 other Estates in South Africa, such as Anglo American’s Vergelegen, Graham Beck, Backsberg, La Motte and Lourensford.
The BWI is a pioneering partnership between the South African wine industry and the conservation sector. The goals are to minimise the further loss of threatened natural habitat, and to contribute to sustainable wine production, through the adoption of biodiversity guidelines by the South African wine industry.
Schalkenbosch was established in the mid to late 1700′s when Bernadus De Vaal retired from his position as reader/teacher in Tulbagh. The main house which was built in Cape Dutch style and completed in 1792 has been proclaimed a national monument.The gable, as well as the yellow and stinkwood wall-cupboard in the voorkamer, are both featured in South Africa’s record of architectural heritage.
Schalkenbosch Estate is made up of four neighbouring farms, Schalkenbosch, Edenhof, Sagtevlei and Delta which cover an area of approximately 2500 hectares. The farming operations include a racehorse stud, cattle, orchards of apricots and prunes, fields of wheat and barley and the vineyards on Schalkenbosch itself. Quality wine is produced in the modern cellar behind the main homestead and is mostly exported to the German and Swedish markets.
A walk through the vineyards provides a magnificent view of the valley. Sunsets are often spectacular and there is frequently snow on the mountains in winter. There is ample opportunity to watch circling birds of prey such as Jackal and Steppe Buzzards and Black Eagles. A variety of sunbirds and sugar-birds, whose natural habitat is protea and fynbos, are abundant further up the mountain. The farm is home to the endangered geometric tortoise and we ask you to take care when driving to and from the farm as they are often to be seen on the road. Wild life spotted on the farm include a family of bat eared foxes, leopard, rooikat, baboons, mongoose and dassies and various small antelope including grey rhebok.
