We are very passionate about giving back to our environment and making sure that we do as much as we can to be as sustainable as possible. Over the years, we have implemented small changes that have made a big impact and we will continue to do so. We believe that if we look after our environment, our environment will look after us. Below are some of the things we do that we are very proud of.
Entirely free of chemicals and additives, our pool boasts only the purest, freshest water. Its clarity and cleanliness are maintained by a sophisticated ecosystem of plants, providing a swimming experience reminiscent of a refreshing mountain dip.
We’re conscious of the substantial chemical reliance of conventional pools. Hence, we take great pride in our EcoPool —an innovative, self-sustaining solution. Not only does it foster a conservation habitat for aquatic life, but it also assures residents of Rijk’s Hotel a swim with a clear conscience. Rest assured, our pool poses no harm to the environment or your well-being.
The gardens surrounding our Hotel and Restaurant are entirely made up of succulents and indigenous plants. Not only do they make for a genuinely local flora experience with unique colours and an impossibly diverse range of shapes and textures, but it is also a water-wise approach to landscaping.
The garden, started a few years ago, consists of an ever-expanding array of indigenous succulents and spekboom – we can’t wait to see what they look like in a few years as the plants mature.
At the start of the 2021 summer season, we installed the first of our beehives and began the journey of producing Rijk’s Honey. Guests can enjoy the produce of these tiny buzzing insects in the Rijk’s Restaurant, while the increased bee activity on the farm is incredibly beneficial to the surrounding plant life.
Bees help the plants that grow around the vineyard thrive through pollination. These plants are essential in creating a healthy vine environment, eliminating the need for unnecessary chemicals and pesticides.
Our honey is 100% natural, raw & organic. We add nothing to it – just the good stuff.
In 2024, we celebrate our fourth consecutive year abstaining from conventional chemical spraying—a milestone of which we are immensely proud. This achievement has been realized through the natural management of harmful insects in our vineyards and the steadfast maintenance of nutrient-rich soil.
By conscientiously considering our methods of wine consumption and production, we initiate a ripple effect that extends far beyond our farm gate. This commitment ensures that future generations will inherit the benefits of our sustainable practices.
One of the practices we have implemented in our vineyards is the use of cover crops.
Essentially, covers crops are planted while the vines are dormant. This ensures that while they grow they don’t take any goodness away from the vines. Once the vines start bud burst, the cover crops are rolled flat so they put all their nutrients back into the soil for the vines to use during the growing season.
The mixture of triticale, lupins, and radish feeds nitrogen into the soil, creating air pockets which benefit the micronutrients and eventually feed oxygen into the soil.
There is also a benefit for weed management. Mulches block light, preventing weed germination and growth. The mulch eventually breaks down over time and adds nutrients back into the soil.
Receive all the latest news and updates from our farm as well as some exclusive wine & hotel deals.
© 2024 Rijk’s Wine Estate. All rights reserved.
