The farm has been recognised as a Hero for its contributions to sustainability in the following areas:
Matroosberg Grapes is a family-owned table grape farm and business, located in the heart of the Hex River Valley (De Doorns) in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The family farm was founded by Fanie Rossouw in 1928. Rossouw family farm expands and diversifies across four generations. Today, the fourth generation is taking the wheel of the farm and business, with the focus on economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Matroosberg Grapes is a direct grower and exporter. Directly exporting table grapes to deliver exceptional quality directly to the market. Matroosberg Grapes is devoted to growing a diverse variety of table grapes. The goal is to extend the availability of table grapes for the international market. To achieve this, the farm carefully selected cultivars based on market and consumer demands, adaptability to the local climate, storage capabilities, and travel ability to still arrive in pristine condition, crisp and fresh even if it is halfway around the world.
All pumphouses on the farm have drives installed at the motors to significantly lower the electricity usage during irrigation. Matroosberg Grapes is planning to install solar pannels on the packhouse roof and vehicle store roof, in which the whole production area, including the cold store, nearby staff houses and offices, will operate on solar energy in the future.
All farm vehicles have trackers installed which enables monitoring the movement of all vehicles to prevent unnecessary driving. The vehicle trackers are also used to monitor fuel usage.
Matroosberg Grapes uses drip irrigation to deliver water efficiently at the root zone, reducing evaporation and run-off. Specialists manage irrigation with probes and tensiometers to ensure vines get only what they need. Water is routinely tested for safety, each pumphouse has its own meter, and the entire system is controlled through a computer-based program.
Soil health is a top priority for Matroosberg Grapes. The farm conducts pre- and post-harvest soil tests for nutrients, organic matter, microorganisms, and pH across all blocks. Precision farming ensures only necessary inputs are applied, preventing over-fertilisation. Soil organic matter and aeration are improved using mulch and woodchips from old vines, while winter grass is encouraged to suppress weeds and reduce herbicide use.
Biodiversity and conservation are central to the Rossouw family. The farm protects natural fynbos and renosterveld by limiting disturbance and maintaining buffer zones. Bat-houses provide habitat in a vineyard-dominated valley, while alien plants are actively removed to protect natural areas and water bodies. Wildlife cameras help monitor species and support conservation education, and plant records are uploaded to iNaturalist. Fencelines are regularly checked for snares, which are removed immediately to prevent illegal hunting.
Matroosberg Grapes runs a recycling program for all plastic, glass, metal, and paper waste. Old pallets are upcycled into furniture for staff areas, and old tires are repurposed for seating and firefighting “bossieslaners.” Waste is weighed and monitored to set goals for reducing overall waste generation.
