Abendruhe Farm
Abendruhe is a fourth-generation family-owned farm located in Wellington, South Africa. Originally bought in 1972, the farm is currently owned by Pierre Blake Snr and his two sons, Robert and Pierre Jnr.
Situated next to the picturesque Bergriver, Abendruhe enjoys an average annual rainfall ranging from 400 – 450 mm. With access to abundant water resources, the farm is able to sustain its diverse agricultural activities throughout the year. In addition to Abendruhe, the family also owns two other farms: Koornlandsdrift in Hermon and Botterberg in Philadelphia. These farms contribute to the overall structure of the family business and further expand their agricultural activities.
Covering a total area of 307 hectares, Abendruhe focuses on cultivating various crops. The farm dedicates 64 hectares for growing stone fruit, which is harvested from week 43 up until week 6. Additionally, the farm allocates 13 hectares for cultivating pomegranates, which are harvested from week 4 to week 16. Finally, Abendruhe boasts 230 hectares dedicated to the production of wine grapes.
Overall, Abendruhe Farm stands as a testament to the Blake family’s hard work, innovation, and generational knowledge. With their ongoing commitment to excellence, this fourth-generation family-owned farm will continue to be a source of pride for the Blake family and a symbol of agricultural success in Wellington, South Africa.
Môrelig Farm
Môrelig Farm has been in the Bourbon-Leftley family since 1992 when Billy Bourbon-Leftley fell in love with this beautiful farm nestled in the picturesque Wemmershoek valley in Franschhoek. Of the 180 hectares, only 40 hectares are cultivated – the rest being wilderness, river and mountainous areas. Originally a wine farm, the estate was transformed into a fruit farm in 1993-1994. Billy’s son, William, took over the management of the farm in 1995 and has been farming since. Môrelig forms part of the Bourbon-Leftley family business. William’s brother and sister share his passion for farming and are managing their other property, Loewenstein.
The micro-climate in this area is unbelievably well-suited for the production of fruit. While the summers are relatively warm, the winters are cold and wet with an average rainfall of close to 900mm per year. The good rainfall ensures that there is enough water year-round for farming activities. Môrelig packs their own fruit for the export market.
Since 2010 Môrelig, as well as the other family farm Loewenstein, are certified annually in terms of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE). They are currently a non-compliant contributor, and score especially well on Employment Equity, Enterprise Development and Socio-Economic Development. They strive toward uplifting their workforce through education and training. A good example thereof is the key role that William’s right hand and assistant Farm Manager, Anna Damonse, and her husband, Hermanus, play in the production and harvesting of the fruit on Môrelig. In the Packhouse and the orchards, Anna’s team leaders consisting of Nolene Willemse, Lee-Ann Johnson and Benjamin Pretorius also see that operations run smoothly.
