Since 2006, Flight of the Fish Eagle has been involved in a cutting-edge wildlife research project that uses the African Fish Eagle as a bio-indicator of the levels of pollution in the Breede River Valley and surrounding areas. This project, spear-headed by André Botha and Adam Welz of the Birds of Prey Working Group, a division of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, is based on similar studies conducted on eagles and falcons in the USA and Europe. But what do we mean by ‘bio-indicator’? How does this work?

More than 100 chemical compounds and biological and physical agents, marketed as multiple formulations and brand names, are used around the world to control agricultural pests. Even though non-biodegradable pesticides have gradually been outlawed since the 1970s, the newer, more eco-friendly pesticides are still extremely toxic to many non-targeted organisms in the eco system.

Says brand manager Gerhard du Toit: “Each of the brandies exhibits the hallmark fruit opulence and cashmere texture for which Van Ryn’s has become so celebrated. But when you have the opportunity to taste them alongside each other, their distinctive individuality becomes pleasingly apparent. The collection makes an exciting gift but also offers an accessible way of owning the entire range.”

Van Ryn’s has been the recipient of three Worldwide Best trophies on the International Wine & Spirit Competition and two Best Brandy trophies on the International Spirits Challenge. Both highly prestigious competitive platforms attracting entries worldwide, they are based in London.

The connoisseur set can only be purchased from the distillery’s on-site boutique. The venue is open every day over the summer, including Sundays. For trading and tour times, visit www.vanryn.co.za.

SAINT VINCENT OF SARAGOSSA
Dave Hughes

 
Saint Vincent of Saragossa is the Patron Saint of winemakers in France and accepted in most other European countries. Now, also in South Africa. He was, however, Spanish by birth and probably lived most of his life in Spain. His date of birth is not given but his terrible death is recorded as A.D. 304. He was burnt to death on a grid suspended above a fire.

Besides the Patron Saint of Winemakers he is also the Patron Saint of Vinegar Makers so he also looks after the winemakers mistakes! There is no clear reason why he is associated with winemaking but it is suggested that because of the Vin in his name, the French for wine, could be the basis of his patronage!

Fable has it that he became thirsty in heaven and asked permission to return to earth for a drink. Actually, it is said to taste the good wines of France, but nowadays he would have probably popped down here for a good pinotage or Cape Brandy. He was granted leave of absence but given strict instructions regarding his return time. The fable continues that the good red wines of Graves were his undoing. He was found in the cellar of La Mission-Haut-Brion, lost to the world and under the undeniable influence of what he had been imbibing! He was late for his appointed return to heaven and as punishment he was turned to stone. A statue in stone is to be found at cellar clutching a bunch of grapes and wearing his Bishop’s Mitre* at a somewhat jaunty angle!

His “official” Saints day is the 22nd of January which in Europe works well to celebrate the completion of the end of the previous year and drink the wines of the new vintage. Celebrations are usually on the Saturday following the 22nd January. They begin with Mass and the sermon is often given by some dignitary of the local hierarchy and along the lines that the participation should not just glory in the fruit of their own labours but to realize that wine is one of the greatest gifts of God.

Here, in the Southern Hemisphere, the date occurs while the vintage is getting into full gear. Here we haven’t quite got to the full festival as held throughout France, and other European countries, but we do have Mass and a celebratory luncheon afterwards. Here we have all denominations joining the celebration and singing their hearts out at Mass. The Mass is held in the Saint Nicholas Catholic Church in Paul Kruger Street in Stellenbosch. This little old, thatch roofed church was built in 1771 on a farm granted in 1683. A Jacob Groenewald acquired the property in 1763 along with Dwars-in-den-Weg, Aan-het-pad and Watergang making it a colossal property stretching beyond what we now know as Kyamandi.

In 1830, Pieter Hendrik Faure bought the property and built a new house in 1831 and turned the older house into his wine cellar. This building is now used as the Catholic Church in Stellenbosch. It is an appropriate place to celebrate the Feast of St Vincent as there cannot be too many Catholic churches that used to be wine cellars.

The date on the gable 1771, makes it the oldest dated gable in Stellenbosch. In recent years other buildings have added gables to their buildings and then put a date referring to the foundations but the gable was not part of the original building.

A Thursday as close as possible to the 22nd is used as the day for the celebration since this is the most convenient for the industry. Collection is taken and donated to the Stellenbosch Hospice – this year saw a whopping R20,000 being handed over to the hospice. Those attending Mass bring a bottle to go up to the Altar as part of the Oferatory procession. This gets shared out amongst the clergy.

It has become tradition for different folk to do the Mass readings and they have been done by black, white and coloured, in English, Afrikaans, German, by overseas visitors, Jews and all manner of other religions. The Homily or sermon has also been delivered by various denominations from DRC Dominees, Catholic Priests, United Church, Church of England and even a lady priest from the Church of England, a Rabbi, a Buddhist and last year a Muslim. 2010 saw us back with a Catholic priest from the UK.

A simple lunch follows at La Pineta in it’s almost out-door setting and the restaurant does not charge corkage so that winemakers and distillers can bring their produce to enjoy over lunch.

This year a particular effort was made to get more distillers involved and to this end the readings were done by a visiting Distiller from the UK and Pierre Meintjies the Secretary of the local Chapter of the Keepers of the Quaich. The distillers were represented by our current world champion Brandy Distiller, whisky distillers, a gin distillers a grappa producer and a number of other brandy personnel.
 
Looking forward to an even greater event in 2011.
 
* The odd shaped hat that Bishops wear. Klapmuts is the old Dutch for such a hat. Hence Klapmuts Kop because it has that sort of shape and the farm at it’s base called “Bishops Mitre”.