TYGER VALLEY
Woensdag, 24 Februarie 2021 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | e-pos: nuus@tygerburger.co.za
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Kinders kyk hoe ’n veldbrand langs Fairtreesweg tussen Vredekloof en Eversdal Vrydag laatmiddag geblus word. Brandweermanne van Durbanville, Bellville en Goodwood het die brand geblus. FOTO: NATALI VARNEY
WINE FARMS: VISITS ON THE UP
Local is ‘lekker’ ESMÉ ERASMUS
I
f it were not for local support, many restaurants and venues on local winefarms in the Durbanville wine valley might not have survived the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Bernard Veller, owner of Nitida, his winefarm was blessed with such local support that he experienced definite changes in people’s buying and visiting patterns. Between 20 and 30 percent more local people are estimated to visit the farm now. This seems to be the trend at other winefarms in the valley as
well. “Over the last year we lost nearly 20 weeks of trading – in both the cellar with wine sales, as well as in the restaurants. This has had a devastating effect on the businesses. “The massive support subsequent to the reopening – in particular from locals – has helped us to overcome these difficulties. “We have managed to keep all our staff employed and have also managed to pay all salaries in a very difficult period,” he says. “We are seeing support from people spending an extended period with us to others coming for sales only.
“The visitors who are most exciting for us are those that come and taste wine, but then also have lunch or dinner in one of the restaurants. “We are very excited about this local support. Nitida and its ancillary businesses have focused strongly on people visiting us and this supports our underlying strategy,” Veller says. He says the reason for this upheaval in local support could be that once the severe lockdown was lifted (since last August and now recently again), people wanted to get out, but wanted to feel safe too. “The uncertainty that still existed made them look to local oppor-
tunities and in particular venues that offered outdoor activities,” he says. “Clearly wine farms and the restaurants on these farms addressed these needs and concerns. We have put substantial effort into Covid-19 protocols to ensure patrons’ safety. Locals have picked up on this and see it as an important aspect in their support for us,” Veller says. “This in turn introduced a new set of customers to our wine brand and our restaurants. “Covid-19 has also sensitised people to the stress of local businesses and there has been an active shift in buying patterns to support local industry.
“If this is then also coupled with a good experience the support becomes entrenched and will hopefully endure after the pandemic has passed,” he says. “During these difficult times, people have also not necessarily been able to find their go-to everyday wine and have experienced better quality wines. Going forward they have then continued drinking these wines.” According to Veller, people from the southern suburbs are also visiting Durbanville more frequently now – “possibly because we are closer and they feel more secure”, he says. V To page 8