Croydon Vineyard Estate Newsletter March 2024

FROM OUR SOCIAL PEN

WELCOME TO OUR NEW HOMEOWNERS

INTERNATIONAL WINE CALENDAR

NEWLY ESTABLISHED

RESIDENTS WILDLIFE COMMITTEE

FROM OUR SOCIAL PEN W

e started the year with a welcome back party to welcome all old and new Croydonites. What an evening it was with wine, laughter and new dreams for 2024.

also ensuring our big events are well-attended.

Our dream for 2024 is that all residents feel welcome in our social environment and that young and old will have events to look forward to. We are trying to mix up the Friday events with a bigger variety of themes while

Our first big event was Grape Stomping, which is an annual favourite. It was a huge success due to all the positive vibes from our residents. We would like to thank everyone involved in making the evening something to remember - with children jumping into the grapes and adults laughing like children when grape pulp squelched between their toes. I realised that we are

never too old to have fun. Everyone had the opportunity to dust off their dancing shoes with music that played until late into the evening. We look forward to next year when we meet again, where the smell of grapes and sticky feet will remind us to live life to the fullest. With the last heat wave and sunny evenings, our March calendar is packed and we want to get as much out of the weather as possible. So mark the dates on your calendar or print our Social Calendar and come and join us at the Lifestyle Centre. We’re looking forward to seeing you all there!

your morning coffee at the drive-thru on your way to school or come and have a nice cup of coffee in the Lifestyle Centre. More information will follow soon. For these events to be successful, we need support from all our residents. Please do come and join us, have a glass of wine, and enjoy these events with us.

Something to look forward to: Cartel Origin Coffee will be joining us from April. Grab

As the social team of Croydon, we want to join hands with residents in making our Social Calendar one that you would like to participate in and be part of. For any suggestions and/ or recommendations regarding events and entertainment, please email: marketing@croydon-estate.co.za.

EVENTS CALENDAR

DATES TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN MARCH

Lifestyle Centre

EVENTS

1 MARCH: Outdoor Movie, Popcorn and Pizza Night with a golden oldie - “Home Alone”

8 MARCH: Picnic and live music with Gert Engelbrecht

15 MARCH: Kids Entrepreneur Market, Roosterkoek and an Easter egg hunt

22 MARCH: Bring and Braai

29 MARCH: The Bar will be open - bring your own snack plate to share with fellow residents

Welcome Back, Oom Ben!

For those who didn’t know, Oom Ben was involved in a car accident last month and only returned on the 4th March, a little unsteady and tender.

We are so happy to have you back, Oom Ben, while you continue your recovery process and get stronger each day!

In the Words of the Winemaker

Croydon Harvest Update

WORDS RIKUS NEETHLING

As I am typing, we are picking our last fruits for the 2024 season.

As normal, the king is last - Cab is king!

We started harvesting towards the end of January with the Pinotage Rose block that runs along the R102 from the security gate to the

corner of Kramat Road, followed by the Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc vineyards.

Pinotage and Merlot were the first grapes harvested for the red wines. There has been a small decline in quantity compared to last year’s harvest in most of the blocks, but we have had an increase in the Shiraz block. We’re waiting in

IN THE WORDS OF A WINEMAKER CONTINUED

anticipation to see what the Cabernet Sauvignon is going to deliver today. The vineyards had their challenges this year with constant wind blowing during the growing period.

Although we had good rain during 2024, evaporation caused a water shortage during the ripening period, however, we tried to manage it as best we could. I am looking forward to starting to craft the 2025 vintage in the vineyards.

International

Wine Calendar

JANUARY

The month of January is a bit sparse, maybe because many practise a dry January. However, who doesn’t need a little “hair of the dog” after an overindulgent NYE and another day to pop open a bottle of bubbles, as if you didn’t have enough over the holidays!

FEBRUARY

Don’t you just love that Valentine’s Day offers a reason to pop open a great bottle, even if you aren’t a believer in the holiday?

1: National Bloody Mary Day (to cure those hangovers!)

10: Champagne and French Fry Day

1: International Furmint Day (Furmint is the most widely grape grown in the Tokaj wine region in Hungary)

14: Wine Lover’s Day

16: International Syrah Day

18: Global Drink Wine Day

24: Open that Bottle Night (last Saturday)

MARCH

March is short on wine holidays, however, Washington State has dedicated the entire month of March to celebrating wines from its various regions. So, technically, every day of March could be a wine holiday!

And, there are some other unique varietals to add to your menu this month.

3: Mulled Wine Day

13: International Riesling Day

14: Tannat Day

17: Malbec World Day

23: International Cava Day

26: International Viognier Day

APRIL

If you haven’t tried wine from British Columbia, April is a great time to do so. BC has spoken for the entire month!

MAY

So, both Oregon and Finger Lakes (upstate New York area) have claimed the month of May. As an Oregon Chardonnay fan, I definitely foresee a Willamette Valley Chardonnay on my table on 26 May.

INTERNATIONAL WINE CALENDAR CONTINUED

3: International Sauvignon

Blanc Day

9: World Moscato Day

17: National Pinot Grigio Day

23: International Chardonnay Day

24: Anniversary of the Judgment of Paris

25: National Wine Day

JUNE

June is an adventurous month with wines heralding from other countries and continents. Start the month wherever your cheese of choice originates. Travel on to France (or South Africa) with a Chenin Blanc and then make a quick

hop to Spain for a vibrant verdejo.

The month concludes in Italy with Lambrusco, a semi-sparkling, frizzantestyle red.

4: National Cheese Day

8: International Rosé Day (second Saturday)

8: Drink Chenin Blanc Day

9: World Verdejo Day

21: World Lambrusco Day

JULY

July offers another opportunity to pair wine and cheese, maybe because it’s just such a delectable combination. I also

heard somewhere that the first week of July is dedicated to sparkling wine. Maybe it’s to commemorate sparkling fireworks that blaze the sky on 4 July. Who knows? Regardless, I’ll take any excuse to open up some bubbly!

others to put on your list.

12: International Cava Day

25: National Wine an Cheese Day

25: Shiraz Day (fourth Thursday)

AUGUST

Washington State has designated yet another month to celebrate its wine. So whatever you didn’t get to in March, calendar it for the month of August. Plus, there are lots of

1: International Albariño Day

4: National White Wine Day

13: National Prosecco Day

18: International Pinot Noir Day

28: National Red Wine Day

29: National Cabernet Day

SEPTEMBER

It just feels right that the month that ushers in autumn in the US also brings us the opportunity to open some juicy reds.

20 : International Grenache Day (third Friday)

OCTOBER

Not a lot is happening on the wine front in October, with the exception of a couple of outliers. But with the football season in full force, sprinkle in some tailgating libations throughout the month like frothy beers and mixed drinks.

1: International Xinomavro Day

7: International Merlot Day

14: International Tempranillo Day (second Thursday)

20: National Zinfandel Day (third Wednesday)

21: Beaujolais Nouveau Day (third Thursday)

12: International Pinotage Day (second Saturday)

31: Carignan Day (last Thursday)

NOVEMBER

Oh, so many days of wine to enjoy in November! And, you can be a virtual world traveller, too. You can relish Greece on the first day of the month, Spain on the 10th, France on the 17th and Chile on the 24th!

24: World Carménère Day

DECEMBER

As the year comes to a close, it’s fitting that the last day of the month would be another day of bubbles.

4: Cabernet Franc Day

5: Prohibition Repeal Day

20: Sangria Day

31: National Champagne Day

Welcome to Our NEW HOMEOWNERS

• Rozaan & Peter Boer: 55 Capricorn Close

• Matthew & Riandi Bilton: 31 Sagittarius Lane

• Willoughby Vergottini & Johann de Beer: 32 Sagittarius Lane

• Alison & Richard Ryall: 2 Cancer Close

• Thomas Price: 22 Scorpio Lane

Newly Established Residents Wildlife Committee

WORDS THE WILDLIFE COMMITTEE

The newly established Croydon Wildlife Committee is a resident-led initiative to support the management of wildlife on Croydon Vineyard Estate. Croydon boasts a diverse range of wildlife, including birds, bats, bees, ducks, fish, geese, moles, owls, porcupines, snakes and wasps. Any interested residents can join the Committee! The Committee’s roles and responsibilities include:

• Provide Input and Recommendations:

The committee will advise the Estate Manager, and thereby the Trustees, on wildlife-related matters, suggesting solutions and improvements.

• Gather Resident Feedback: The committee will actively solicit input from residents on their wildlife-related experiences and concerns.

• Develop Proposals: The committee can propose work plans and budgets related to wildlife management for the Estate Manager and Trustee's consideration.

• Disseminate Information: The committee

RESIDENTS WILDLIFE COMMITTEE CONTINUED

will share important wildlife-related updates and information with the Estate Manager for circulation to all residents.

and discussing co-existence with the porcupines.

• Manage Research and Planning: The committee will oversee the management of any applicable research and planning prior to the introduction of any new species onto the Estate.

CROYDON WILDLIFE INTEREST WHATSAPP GROUP

If you are interested in joining the active voluntary, resident-run WhatsApp group for people interested in updates on and ways to feed into issues related to Wildlife at Croydon or join the committee, please click here.

Current areas of focus for 2024 include:

• researching a duck and geese management and care programme,

• compiling and sharing information on snake catchers and what to do if bitten,

• wasp management and service providers,

CROYDON WILDLIFE COMMITTEE OVERVIEW

If you are interested in reading about the new Croydon Wildlife Committee, please click here.

RESIDENTS WILDLIFE COMMITTEE

WASP MANAGEMENT AT CROYDON

Wasps continue to be a pest at Croydon, growing in numbers if not managed well. Did you know that wasps need to be managed as part of the government’s invasive species control plan? The German wasp was introduced into the Cape Peninsula in 1975. The European paper wasp is a more recent invader and was first recorded in 2008 in the Kuils River area. The German wasp is a significant threat to the grape industry as they are known to cause significant damage to grapes.

your gutters, roof and windows. They build a nest within two days. Check your neighbours’ walls, where they don't normally look. They love hiding in granadilla bushes and others. Please, let's work together to save our bees. If you see wasps, their nests will be close by. Please break these down and be sure to trample the nests so that the larvae inside are destroyed too. This is best done at night with the help of a spray as the wasps are more docile at night.”

As resident Cindy Herbst says, “The wasps are back with a vengeance. Please check

Unbelievably, 74 wasps were found inside this small metal bird at a home in Scorpio Lane in January. One of the service providers often contacted by residents to help with

wasp removals and inspections of homes (including roofs) for wasps is Stu on 082 211 8897.

If you are interested in joining a voluntary, resident-run WhatsApp group for people interested in managing wasps on Croydon, click here.

CARING FOR AND INTERACTING WITH DUCKS AND GEESE AT CROYDON

Please remember to only feed the ducks at the designated feeding spot next to the duck feeding sign at the middle dam. Please don’t run after or chase ducks or geese. If you run away from them, they will chase you. Please be careful as some of the geese can be feisty.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SNAKES AT CROYDON

Although there are stories of a few snakes seen around 21

NEW, FLUFFY RESIDENTS JOINED THE CROYDON FAMILY IN JANUARY

RESIDENTS WILDLIFE COMMITTEE CONTINUED

Croydon each year, there has been no apparent harm to anyone. A local snake handler gives this advice: “Should you ever encounter a snake, please keep a safe, three-metre distance away from the snake, and keep your eyes on it until an experienced snake handler arrives to catch it. Should you need assistance in removing a snake or identifying one, contact an experienced snake handler.”

Residents have gathered some

helpful contacts of snake handlers in the Helderberg area:

• Lijan Harrison: 074 223 5846

• Jessica: 082 887 8829

• Rudolph: 072 523 1589

• Justin: 079 189 3807

CAPE COBRA VISITS A HOME IN JANUARY 2024

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ESKOM TARIFF

INCREASE

Security

072 349 8002

Security Supervisor

Linda Mbobo

081 262 0301

security@croydon-estate.co.za

SecureRite Armed Response

0860 103 099

021 851 3374

All hours

Xone Command Centre

021 816 1234

Office hours only

HOA Office

021 843 3610

Office hours only

COCT Water & Sanitation

086 010 3089

WhatsApp 063 407 3699

Cape Town Municipality

021 467 1614

Eskom

086 0037 566

Account Number 9230515300

Metro Police & Traffic Services

086 076 5424

Macassar Police

021 857 1000

Macassar Fire Brigade

021 444 6790

Cape Town Fire Control

021 590 1900

Ambulance 10177 (Western Cape Government)

084 124 (ER24)

082 911 (Netcare)

Vergelegen Medi Clinic

021 850 9000

021 851 3399

Hottentots Holland Hospital

021 850 4700

Helderberg Home Nursing Services

021 852 6290

072 293 4797 (Emergency)

PlumbStar

071

072

079

067

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