GG_N49_ESP

ALMENKERK, WHERE THE WELL-BEING
OF WORKERS AT WORK AND IN THEIR
PRIVATE SPACE IS VITAL, HAS BEEN
A WWF CONSERVATION CHAMPION
SINCE OCTOBER 2015
As everything is connected, environmentally conscious efforts are bound to give rise to
side hustles like WWF Champion in Elgin, Almenkerk, growing its bee population from
0 to 70 boxes. “It is incredibly gratifying to see nature flourish around you and to know
you are doing as much as possible to preserve it. We need to leave our children a healthy
and financially sustainable farm and cherish every aspect of it”, shares Natalie Obstaele,
co-owner at Almenkerk.
Graham Beck is another stalwart WWF Champion. Over three decades, its COO Pieter
Ferreira (previously as cellarmaster) saw it being shaped into the conservation-savvy
wine mogul it is today. “A substantial portion of the land was set aside as a private
nature reserve (the Graham and Rhona Beck Game Reserve) in the semi-arid region of
Robertson. Many farms have subsequently followed suit. As a result, the Rooiberg-Breede
River Conservancy was established by 27 landowners to protect 16,000 hectares of unique
Cape Floral Kingdom fauna and flora”. For every hectare used for agriculture/wine
production, nine hectares of natural vegetation are conserved, equalling 1,978 hectares.
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT.
Composting and recycling organic and inorganic waste is crucial in the preservation
methods applied at the properties of WWF Champions. The family of Delheim, for
example, grew up with conservation being a part of who they are and how they farm,
says CEO Victor Sperling, whose mom took a stance against plastic bags in the 80s. “My
father planted trees throughout his life to give back to nature. Being a WWF conservation
champion tells people we are committed to doing what is right”.
78 AUTUMN 2022 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE