Enterprise iLembe, the economic development arm of the iLembe District Municipality, is working   to promote the area as a new wine farm destination.

A grape cultivar, Villard Blanc is ideal for the coastline of KwaZulu-Natal. The Villard Blanc grape is resistant to humidity, hence it will not rot with the rainy, humid summers experienced in KwaZulu-Natal.

The grape, which is grown prolifically in South America, produces a wine similar to a fruity Sauvignon Blanc.

The wine laws of South Africa currently state that all grapes must be grafted onto rootstock, which Villard Blanc is not. However, the law is in the process of being amended to allow for this vine to be imported and planted in the more humid areas of South Africa.

The development of a wine industry in KwaZulu-Natal offers substantial employment to the region, in both agriculture and tourism, as there will be co-operative wineries for visitors and tourists to taste these wines.

It is believed it is possible to achieve success in this region as grapes are grown successfully in Jordan and Kuwait.

In fact these countries achieve two to three harvests a year, as opposed to the traditional single annual harvest.

For more information about the establishment of a wine farming region in KwaZulu-Natal, and how you can get involved with this new and burgeoning industry, contact the iLembe District Municipality:
Contact: Mike Newton
Email: Mike.Newton@ilembe.gov.za
Tel: +27 32 437 9512