The Facts

Grapes require a warm summer to produce a good yield. This temperate environment means that a large number of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects naturally occur in regions that are used for grape growing. Considering that the vines are replaced up 25 years after being planted some understanding of the extent to which these vines are inhabited can be gained.

A wide diversity of species lives in the grape vines growing in the Western cape. Through the process of destalking an indefinite number of skinks, snakes, mice, kittens, locusts, birds eggs, caterpillars, spiders and chameleons are killed. Some of them are torn into pieces and blood and debris mix with the grape juice.

These species are symbiotic role players in the vine canopy and provide an organic means of controlling infestations occurring on the vine.

Considering the large-scale grape farming that happens across the world it is vitally important to protect the organisms that find a home on the vines.