Conservation and Sustainable Wine Tourism
New Conservation Initiatives at
Benguela Cove Wine Estate for Sustainable Wine Tourism
Benguela Cove Wine Estate, ranked in the Top 100 World’s Best Vineyards to visit and a World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) Conservation Champion, has announced new conservation initiatives. These include new Eco-Experience pontoon excursions on the lagoon, support for the Cape Leopard Trust and two apps, with iNaturalist and the WWF’s new Champion Wine Farm Guide.
Located in the Kogelberg Biosphere, a UNESCO site, the family-owned estate is not only a premier wine destination, but also home to diverse wildlife and plants, and is leading the way in sustainable wine tourism in South Africa.
“We are delighted that Benguela Cove has earned recognition from the WWF for our commitment to the conservation of South Africa’s Succulent Karoo and the Cape Floral Kingdom. The estate's dedication to environmentally responsible farming practices has earned it the award for excellence,” says estate owner Penny Streeter.
Partnerships that Confirm our Conservation Commitments
What Can You Do to Support WWF Conservation Champion Wineries?
Visitors to Benguela Cove can now explore the estate's conservation journey through the WWF's Champion Wine Farm Guide app. This GPS-enabled digital collection offers information on a variety of activities, special offers, and promotions, making it easier for tourists and holidaymakers to plan their next day trip or weekend break.
Support the WWF Conservation Champions
Download the WWF champion wine guide app to explore farms and find special offers as well as ecotourism activities.
Benguela Cove and The Cape Leopard Trust; Keeping Watch on Wildlife
Benguela Cove's commitment to conservation is further demonstrated in a new collaboration with The Cape Leopard Trust. The estate has installed a wildlife camera to raise awareness of biodiversity issues and affirm its commitment to conserving local ecosystems. The estate will share the footage captured of leopards and other animals on its website and social media platforms.
Collective Conservation
“The data we receive from our sponsored camera traps helps us to better understand the ecology of leopards in our project areas. We have collected thousands of leopard photographs and tens of thousands of photographs of other animals.“ - Cape Leopard Trust
Benguela Cove and iNaturalist; A Community for Naturalists
The estate is also working with iNaturalist, a joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society. People from across the world can record their observations, share with fellow naturalists and discuss their findings.
Nature at Your Fingertips
Visitors can upload and share pictures on the iNaturalist app, contributing to the understanding of where specific plants, animals, and fungi can be found, as well as pinpointing invasive or threatened species in and around the area.
New eco-experience excursions aboard the Lady Bonnie Pontoon provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the Benguela Coves' rich biodiversity across the beautiful lagoon and estuary. The wine estate, in its oceanside location, lies along the Bot-Kleinmond Estuarine System, a critical nursery and migration path for fish stocks and a sanctuary for a diverse range of bird species.
Benguela Cove and BirdLife SA; a Bird lovers Match Made in Heaven
Benguela Cove Wine Estate is thrilled to announce its partnership with GoBirding - the home of birds and birding nationwide, hosted by BirdLife South Africa. At Benguela Cove, we take pride in our Birdlife Recommended Accommodation status, a testament to our commitment to avian safety and preservation.
BirdLife Recommended Accommodation
The bird-friendly estate hosts about 100 species of birds, including owls, Blue Cranes, Guinea Fowl, and flamingos, within its protected reserves and vast wetlands. Small buck, cape mountain leopards, caracal and wild horses appear on the estate. Explore the villas and book your stay for world-class birding experiences.
Sustainable Farming and Wine Tourism
Benguela Cove's sustainable farming practices align with the standards recommended by Wines of South Africa (WoSA) and its Sustainable Wine South Africa (SWSA) programme. The estate is committed to farming sustainably and preserving the land for future generations.
Set within a protected nature reserve, the 200-hectare farm features one of South Africa’s most ecological and beautiful residential and wine estates. It is home to 100 species of birds, small buck, mountain leopards, and wild horses. Penny Streeter says that the preservation and improvement of this estate for future generations is a priority, with many measures that visitors can see, such as the use of ducks that in the summer help to keep the snails and other pests at bay.
The estate offers a range of visitor activities, including vineyard safari tours, lagoon pontoon boat cruises, and wine tasting experiences that are a major feature in the Western Cape, winning the award for Cellar Door Experience of the Year 2023. Guests can enjoy luxury holiday accommodation in the oceanside villas and dine at the Moody Lagoon Restaurant, a popular Hermanus eatery.
The Art Gallery and Sculpture Park and the children's Benguela Adventure Splash Park, 18-hole Pirate Golf and Blackbeard's Diner add to the attractions of this destination.
For more information about Benguela Cove Wine Estate, visit www.benguelacove.co.za
