Nederburg, South Africa’s acclaimed winery, believes in giving back … and in the power of bicycles to change lives. Judith Schrut says, Let’s drink to that!
Since founder Philippus Wolvaart bought his original farm for a neat 5600 guilders more than two centuries ago, Nederburg has become one of South Africa’s most distinguished names in wine.
They’re trailblazers for creative, contemporary, delicious red and white wines. These include an impressive gourmet line of ‘heritage’ wines like the Motorcycle Marvel, a full bodied Rhône-style blend paying tribute to one of Nederburg’s eccentric cellarmasters, famed for zooming round estate vineyards on his 250cc BSA motorcycle, and the Anchorman, a wooded Chenin blanc commemorating founder Wolvaart.
I recently went along to a joyful Nederburg learn-and-sip event at the Oakley sunglasses shop near Covent Garden. Along with learning loads about and tasting the label’s favourite wines, the event raised awareness of Nederburg’s important fundraising campaign, #DoYourPart. This is a serious million-pound joint venture with South African non-profit Qhubeka, dedicated to helping rural Africans, literally, move forward with bicycles.
Qhubeka is a Nguni word that means “to carry on”. That’s exactly what this incredible venture is all about: helping people progress by giving them bicycles in return for educational achievements or work done for their communities or their environment. With Qhubeka’s support, Nederburg has also set up a thriving bicycle assembly facility on its estate, producing 5,000 purpose built bicycles a year. These are given to local rural communities to improve their quality of life.
The impact on communities and individuals of being able to use bicycles on a daily basis is huge. Every single bicycle can really change a life, creating opportunities otherwise impossible on foot, including access to schools, health clinics and jobs. Using a bicycle also increases the ability to carry heavy loads, travel faster, and do more in far less time.
So how can you, me and other Nederburg customers get involved in this worthy cause?
For a start, every time you indulge your palate in a bottle of Nederburg’s Select 1791 Chardonnay, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, 56 Hundred Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir or Shiraz, the company will donate 5p to the Qhubeka charity to help buy a bicycle. We are also encouraged to fundraise directly for the #DoYourPart campaign, for instance by logging miles we ride on the nederburgbelieves.co.uk digital platform. #DoYourPart fundraising cycle packs are available if you or your employer want to get involved, for example, by setting up cycling teams or hosting wine pairing dinners to raise funds. Easy as riding a bike, right?
And finally, while you’re doing your part, be sure to enter Nederburg’s competition to win a Cervelo road bike of your own.
Nederburg’s 56 Hundred and 1791 range are available at selected Sainsbury and Tesco stores, prices starting at under £5. For further information on the Nederburg partnership go to Qhubeka.org.
Nederburg’s wine tasting/#DoYourPart event with Cellarmaster Andrea Freeborough took place at Oakley London, 1-4 King Street, WC2E 8HH.
