In a nod to its rich heritage and in the spirit of academic collaboration, Delheim Wine Estate has opened its 30-hectare pine forest on Simonsberg to researchers from Stellenbosch University’s Department of Forest and Wood Science. This initiative revives a longstanding relationship between Delheim and the university, offering students a rare and invaluable natural research setting.
More than just a popular wine destination, Delheim is steeped in a history that intertwines viticulture with forestry. Over sixty years ago, the estate’s late owner, Spatz Sperling, cultivated a thriving forest of Pinus radiata pines, which at its peak spanned 120 hectares and made Delheim one of the region’s foremost private pinewood suppliers. However, a devastating fire in 2000, coupled with the decline of local wood mills, saw forestry operations wind down, leaving a surviving 30-hectare woodland that endures as a natural treasure on the estate.
Now, in response to the increasing scarcity of suitable research sites in the Western Cape, Delheim has once again extended its support to Stellenbosch University’s forestry scholars. Among the recent beneficiaries of this partnership are two PhD graduates whose work has deepened scientific understanding of pine growth dynamics.
Victor Sperling, co-owner of Delheim, expresses his pride in reviving this academic connection. “My father Spatz had a deep affection for this forest, which reminded him of his childhood in Germany. While it once supplemented the estate’s income, today it stands as a place of beauty and ecological interest. We are delighted to see it serve a greater purpose by facilitating cutting-edge research.”
This collaboration took root five years ago when Prof. Brand Wessels from Stellenbosch University’s Department of Forest and Wood Science highlighted the challenges faced by students in finding accessible pine forests for their studies. Delheim readily embraced the opportunity, granting researchers unrestricted access to its woodlands.
“This relationship brings back fond memories,” notes Sperling. “In my youth, forestry students were a common sight at Delheim, diligently recording data among the pines. It’s an honour to once again contribute to the university’s academic pursuits.”
For Prof. Wessels, the significance of this partnership cannot be overstated. “Pine forests in the Western Cape have dwindled due to various factors, making Delheim’s woodland an invaluable resource. Its proximity to the university, established tree stands, and unique mountain setting create ideal conditions for research.”
One of the researchers to benefit from this collaboration is Dr. Scovia Akello, who recently earned her PhD with a dissertation on the effects of fertilisation, water availability, wind, and other environmental variables on the growth and wood properties of young Pinus species and hybrids. Hailing from Uganda, Dr. Akello previously studied at Makerere University and the University of Edinburgh before choosing Stellenbosch for her doctoral studies.
“I had never been to South Africa before, but Stellenbosch University stood out for its academic excellence and breathtaking surroundings,” she shares. “Delheim provided an extraordinary setting for my research, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked in such a remarkable environment.”
Another PhD graduate, Otto Pienaar, who is currently working in New Zealand, conducted research at Delheim for his dissertation on biomass determination, growth response, and light-use efficiency in mid-rotation Pinus radiata stands post-thinning.
With this renewed academic alliance, Delheim continues to honour its legacy, providing a sanctuary not only for wine lovers but also for the next generation of forestry experts.