KZN wine industry set to spread its wings in Ilembe municipality

The burgeoning wine industry in KwaZulu-Natal is set to move up a gear with the announcement of plans to plant vineyards on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, using cultivars that are suited to the humid coastal conditions.
 
The Ilembe municipality has committed itself to the establishment of wine farms on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, with the long term goal of developing a new, sustainable viticulture and tourism industry in that region.

"We are really excited about this project," enthused Ilembe municipal manager Mike Newton. "This form of agri processing, and the genuine potential for tourism fits our strategy for the Ilembe region perfectly."

The plan hinges on utilising land which is currently under sugar cane farms in the area, many of their being farmed by newcomers to the industry through the redistribution of farmlands.

Recent reports show that many of these new farms are not proving to be economically viable in the currently stifled international sugar industry, and the farmers are seeking to branch out into alternative sources of agriculture allowed under the terms of their land acquisition.

Guided by winemaker Judy van Niekerk from The Stables Wine Estate, the project aims to plant new vineyards with a grape cultivar that will thrive in the hot, humid coastal conditions, and ultimately provide grapes to a co-operative winery to produce high quality wine.

Van Niekerk has identified a French-American hybrid Villard Blanc as a possible candidate for the initial planting of 40 hectares, which is expected to pave the way for the establishment of more extensive vineyards.

After initially falling out-of-favour with French wine authorities, Villard Blanc has become popular in Brazil and the United States, where it has enjoyed success since its rejuvenation at the hands of American wineries such as the Blue Sky vineyard, whose Villard Blanc has recently won gold medals at the Illinois State fair wine competition and Riverside International wine competition.

"It became unfashionable in France, but it has proved in other parts of the world like the Eastern seaboard of the USA to thrive in humid conditions, and produces a wine not unlike Sauvignon blanc, with bold citrus flavours," said van Niekerk.

"We are by no means limiting the scope of our research to Villard Blanc, and it's red sister grape Villard Noir," said Van Niekerk. "There are a number of varietals that have proven to do well in climates very similar to the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal. There will need to be scientific soil testing before the right cultivar is identified," she added.

"A varietal like Villard Blanc can be used to make a white wine similar to Sauvignon blanc, or a natural Late Harvest, or even as a grape for pot still brandy, for which there is a strong demand in KwaZulu-Natal. And if left to ripen fully, it is also a good table grape," added Van Niekerk.

Newton sees the grape planting proposal as an ideal opportunity for the pivotal Corridor development between Ethekwini and the Dube Trade Port, driven by the Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs.

"The wine proposal has potentially huge advantages for addressing farmers in areas battling with poverty, as the yield from good quality wine will be far higher than sugar cane," said Newton.

"We are working closely with the Sugar Association to identify and communicate with the many new farmers who are under pressure at the moment," said Newton. "The beauty about the wine concept is that the vines can be planted in areas that are not suitable for sugar cane, making it a good cash crop or a second crop."

"The researchers at Mount Edgecombe are developing a new variety of sugar cane that requires less water, which, while it has a slightly lower yield, will suit the plans to encourage sustainable multi-cropping. Sugar is harvested midyear, while grapes are harvested at the beginning of the year, lending itself to sustainable multi-cropping," said Newton.

The farmers will plant the hardy vines and allow them to grow as bush vines for the first year, before they are trellised and pruned to develop the fruit bearing arms of the vines. "The cornerstone of the project will be the co-operative winery that the community operates and has a big share in," said Newton.

While the grape farming operation offers exciting opportunities for emerging farmers in areas such as Ndwedwe and Maphumulo, Newton also sees the establishment of the wine industry as an attractive new dimension for future developments on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal.

"Imagine a wine estate development instead of a golf estate," said Newton. "Imagine a winery set in the stunning Glendale valley and you can visualize the tourism potential of this project."

"It really does look like a win-win situation, and we are excited about the prospects for the Ilembe region," said Newton.