Earthbound

‘ Happy environment, happy soils, happy vineyards, happy grapes, happy wines.’ That’s how winemaker Heinrich Kulsen sums up the approach at Earthbound. It all begins with the land; land tended naturally for good wines and for the good of generations to follow. The 975- hectare farm is 25 kilometres from Darling on the Cape West Coast. ‘ It is very, very beautiful,’ says Heinrich, describing the farm’s slopes, sea breezes and dryland ( unirrigated) bush vines, of which 175 hectares are farmed without the use of pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilisers. ‘ Farming this way requires pretty hard labour,’ he admits. In addition to being organically certified, Earthbound’s wines are also Fairtrade accredited, which means a proportion of all proceeds is returned to and administered by the farm workers. Although Earthbound has no visitor or restaurant facilities, the brand has found a perfect food partner in Shannon Smuts, the 2012 MasterChef SA finalist whose catering business, Pure Good Food, dishes up wholesome and ethically produced meals to working professionals in Cape Town. ‘ I’m forcing healthy food on busy people. They don’t realise my burgers are made with seeds and kale rather than bread crumbs and onions.’ Shannon is also involved in social development as she supports – and sources all her fresh ( organic) produce from – the Baphumelele Fountain of Hope Youth Farm in Philippi, Cape Town, which houses orphaned youth aged between 18 and 21. ‘ I’m teaching them how to utilise literally everything that grows on the farm so they will always have something to eat.’ Earlier this year, Shannon introduced them to edible flowers – nasturtiums, marigolds, violas, dandelions, fuchsias and pansies. ‘ Most people just use them as a garnish and they’re pushed to the side of the plate. I showed the