CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND
Spanning 620 hectares, our farm has been family-owned since 1993. Historic buildings and adjacent land have been restored, conserved and rehabilitated: a demonstration of our commitment to honour our farm’s heritage and nurture its environmental biodiversity while being mindful of the region’s socio-economic development challenges.
Our certified organic pastures and vineyards — both on Spier and at Nooitgedacht (a Spier-owned farm in Paarl) — are farmed as naturally as possible. This means no chemical fertilisers or pesticides are used. A primary focus of our farming team has been the regeneration of soil fertility. This is achieved through high-density grazing (cattle, pigs and chickens) and nutrient-rich organic compost.
Across the farm, we have protected endangered patches of Renosterveld and created new, 8-metre wide “nature corridors” or shelterbelts consisting of indigenous plants and trees. These boost the farm’s biodiversity and provide windbreaks. They also help to cool down the pastures and provide a home for predators who offer a natural form of pest control.
Our pasture-reared meat and eggs, as well as the fresh produce from our garden, are used in our restaurants and Vadas Smokehouse and Bakery. This enhances our self-sufficiency and boosts the region’s food security.