The wine collection is appropriately named ‘Cura’, meaning ‘care’ in Latin, as WESSA has been caring for the Earth since 1926. Wine-lovers will now have the opportunity to return nature’s generosity and become partners with WESSA in caring too. Profits from sales of the wines will go directly to the organisation and help WESSA to work for the continued conservation of our natural heritage and a sustainable lifestyle on a healthy planet.

WESSA is delighted to have teamed up with Vondeling Wines to create the first wine under the Cura label. Vondeling is a boutique winery located in the Voor-Paardeberg wine region near Wellington in the Western Cape with a wine making tradition that stretches back over three centuries. Vondeling winemaker Matthew Copeland has produced an exquisite 2010 Shiraz for WESSA, blended from 85% Shiraz, 8% Mourvèdre, 3% Carignan, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Viognier.

Cura Shiraz 2010 is a premium wine, deep red in colour with purple hues and a smoky depth which forms the backdrop for a plump bouquet of refined spice and wild berry flavours. Polished oak and restrained tannin ensure a long, gentle finish. Vondeling Wines is a fitting partner for this WESSA initiative due to its long-term commitment to conservation. The estate has over 400 hectares of indigenous fynbos on its mountain slopes, including critically-endangered Swartland Granite Renosterveld.

Innovative practices employed by the winery include a renewable energy project and the use of compost teas instead of chemical fungicides to combat fungus. Vondeling is Biodiversity and Wine Initiative certified and is currently working towards Champion Status. This means that it will put in place a comprehensive conservation management plan with dedicated staff members to implement it. Vondeling is also involved in several conservation initiatives in the area through the Voor-Paardeberg Sustainability Initiative and the Paardeberg Fire Protection Association. Cura is available throughout South Africa via online sales and will shortly also be retailed through select outlets around the country at a recommended retail price of R79 per bottle.

See www.wessa.org.za for further details.