Rhino conservation is close to our hearts in the Eastern Cape, but in the face of highly organised, brutal crime syndicates and senseless killings like that of Bella, the Kragga Kamma Game Park rhino slain for just 1cm of horn last week, we feel somewhat powerless as individuals to make a meaningful difference
.One could physically assist, joining the SANParks honorary rangers or police reservists, for example, but a small way to make a financial difference is simply to buy wine.
Robertson’s Van Loveren Family Vineyards have recently released the latest vintages of their Rhino Run range, of which a share of the profits goes to the Player Ntombela Foundation which continues the work of legendary conservationists Ian Player and Magqubu Ntombela.Pocket-friendly (priced around R50-R60) and easy-drinking, the range includes a cabernet sauvignon and a pinotage, the Ian Player cabernet sauvignon-merlot blend and a chardonnay.
The 2016 chardonnay is flavoursome with some citrus and nutty notes, and a mouth-filling, lightly buttery texture. Chardonnay fans likely wouldn’t rate it among their top choices, but it did kind of grow on me and it would happily please a variety of tastes in a crowd.
The 2016 cabernet sauvignon-merlot blend gets three stars from Platter’s and ranks as one of its “hidden gems”, jolly good for what it is and at the price. It is full of flavour, soft and juicy, with lots of berries, some nutty toastiness, and a flavourful finish.For those with deeper pockets, the 2013
Last One Shiraz is something special – a limited edition of 1,215 bottles signed by cellar master Bussell Retief selling at R1,215 each. The significance of the number is  the tally of rhinos poached in South Africa in 2014.Similarly, the Wilderness Foundation Africa, from their its headquarters in the Bay, offers a limited edition 2009 shiraz cab blend made by Graham Beck to support the Ian Player Black Rhino Legacy Project.
Tasted a year or two ago, the wine is simply outstanding – balancing power and elegance – and could only age even more gracefully. Contact the Wilderness Foundation for info on buying a case of six for R1,999.
Various wine estates are doing their bit for conservation of wildlife – another one worth supporting is the Rhino Tears range from Mt Vernon, a red and a white at around R60, with R15 from every sale going to anti-poaching projects in our national parks.If you can do nothing else to help save rhinos, at least buy wine – it’s the least you can do, and it’s a pleasurable experience!