As Global Earth Day approaches on March 22, 2025, we’re reflecting on our role as stewards of the land we call home. Here at Hasher Family Wines, our connection to nature runs deeper than the vines we tend. Our working farm in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley sits within one of the world’s most remarkable biodiversity hotspots, and we’ve made it our mission to protect this natural heritage. While many talk about conservation goals for the future, we’re excited to share how our little corner of the Cape is already making a difference today—and what we’ve discovered along the way will surprise you.
Contributing to Conservation Targets with WWF
The World Wildlife Fund‘s “30 by 30” initiative aims to protect 30% of nature by 2030 to combat biodiversity loss. We’re proud to share that Hasher Family Wines has already achieved this milestone!
Our 180-hectare property includes about 60 hectares of protected natural habitat. This doesn’t even count our actively rehabilitated fynbos corridors.
A Botanical Paradise on Our Doorstep
We use the iNaturalist app to document plants and animals on our estate. This platform shares findings with scientific data repositories like the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
Our documentation has revealed amazing biodiversity:
- 344 distinct plant species identified
- 221 sightings confirmed by other observers
- 145 species endemic to the Cape region
- 11 species of conservation concern at risk of extinction
Our conservation efforts help these species thrive in a balanced ecosystem.
The Hasher estate features:
- Six different protea species, including the vulnerable Protea scabra and near-threatened Protea longifolia
- Eleven distinct erica varieties
- Six types of indigenous pelargoniums that add unique character and color to our landscape
This rich plant diversity shows why the Cape Floral Kingdom is a global biodiversity hotspot. Despite its small size, this region has more plant species on Table Mountain alone than in the entire United Kingdom. Amazingly, 70% of these plants exist nowhere else on Earth.
Conservation Management in Action
Our conservation work focuses on two key areas:
- Fighting invasive species – We actively combat fast-growing trees like wattles and hakeas that were introduced for forestry and dune stabilization.
- Managing fire carefully – Fynbos needs controlled burns every 15-20 years to maintain biodiversity. We ensure these burns are carefully controlled to protect surrounding plants and animals.
Local plant species have developed fascinating adaptations to fire:
- Some rapidly resprout after fires
- Others form seed protection partnerships with insects like ants
- Some grow on fire-resistant rocky outcrops
- Many, like proteas, keep seeds protected until activated by smoke
- Early resprouters like the Fire Erica (Erica cerinthoides) thrive in post-fire sunlight
Each controlled burn reveals previously hidden floral treasures, showing this ecosystem’s remarkable resilience and diversity.
Our Commitment to the Future
As we celebrate Earth Day this March, we invite you to join us in appreciating the delicate balance between human cultivation and natural conservation. Our journey at Hasher Family Wines reminds us that being good stewards of the land isn’t just about what we take but also what we protect and give back.
Every bottle of wine we produce carries with it the story of this remarkable ecosystem—its resilience, its diversity, and its future. When you visit our farm or enjoy our wines, you’re not just experiencing a product but becoming part of our ongoing commitment to preserve this botanical paradise for generations to come.
Because in the end, the true legacy of Hasher Family Wines will be measured not just in vintages but in the flourishing natural heritage we leave behind.
”Conservation endures as a living discipline because it is inhabited by a magnificent collection of people. Only by working together can we create solutions to the most vexing problems we face.
Carter RobertsPresident & CEO of the World Wildlife Fund