a publication for
VAL DE VIE ESTATE RESIDENTS
October/November 2023
A Living Legacy The dictionary defines heritage as “something that is
brought back to life. Today, our heritage is not confined
and development, resulting in a flourishing ecosystem.
inherited from the past, such as cultural, historical, or
to the past; it is a part of our daily lives and connects
With over a hundred bird species, including a growing
natural assets, traditions or practices.” But how does
us to our natural world. Under the guardianship of
population of owls and other raptors, including two pairs
heritage influence life at Val de Vie Estate today? In
Environmental Officer imon llen and his team, the
of frican fish eagles, our environment is healthy. mall
2001, our Founder and CEO, Martin Venter, took to the
Estate’s commitment to conservation ensures that
mammals like duiker and frican porcupines still roam
skies over the Paarl-Franschhoek Valley. From above,
the flora and fauna that has thrived here for centuries
here, while our large lakes provide the perfect habitat for
he spotted the ideal location along the Berg River for
continues to do so. ustainability has always been at
Cape clawless otters and a wide range of waterfowl and
his family’s future home. Looking down on the run-
our heart, and in the early days, the focus centred on
fish. The Berg River serves as a lifeline for indigenous
down wine farm – which today is home to L’Huguenot
restoring the environment to its natural state. Originally
wildlife, a constant reminder of the delicate balance we
Vineyards – Martin sensed the untapped potential of
used as a sand quarry, the Estate has embraced
must preserve. Val de Vie Estate is not just a place to call
this land and a profound belief that it needed to be
environmentally sustainable solutions through innovation
home; it is a living legacy of our own history and heritage.