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World-first for
Knysna Elephant Park
Francois du Plessis
Harry the Elephant, one of the gentle giants at the Knysna
Elephant Park has something to be proud of. He's the world's
first elephant to try his hand (or shall we rather say 'trunk')
at winemaking. He's now become something of a winemaster.
Harry
on his way to the grape pit with handlers Mac and Geoffrey.
Harry
spent last Monday morning munching away at a variety of
delicious grapes produced by the Boplaas Wine. He then proceeded
to the grape pit where he used his giant feet to stomp the
grapes in a large white container. His handlers, Mac and
Geoffrey washed his feet before the grape stomping started.
Well-known Celebrity Heinz Winckler and Top Billing's Jeannie D
was there to encourage him.
Grape stomping is an age-old tradition practiced by
winemakers for nearly 4000 years. The idea to use Harry came
from Boplaas owner, Karel Nel and Ian Withers, owner of the
elephant park.
Harry
the elephant with Heinz Winckler and his wife Aletta.
"We started talking and after a few glasses of wine,
as is usually the case, the best ideas started flowing. We both
thought it would be a great idea. A percentage of the proceeds
from the wine sales will be used for conservation," said
Karel Nel.
The wines will be marketed as Boplaas Elephant Rose and
Boplaas Chardonnay. Later, the Boplaas Cabernet will be
launched. The labels will depict an elephant stomping grapes and
the first Chardonnays will be available in shops within the next
two months.
Says
Andrč Morgenthal of Wines of South Africa, "this is a
world-first for our industry. Using Harry to stomp the grapes
was symbolic as he will only stomp some of the grapes.
Getting
down to business - Harry gets his big feet dirty.
More
About Harry:
Meaning "Protector of the home"
Harry was born in 1989 and arrived at the Knysna Elephant
Park with his female friend Sally in 1994. He is the dominant
bull elephant. He stands 3.5 meters tall and weighs about 6
tons. He really gives new meaning to the term "gentle
giant" He is the biggest and tallest elephant in the herd.
He is also very sympathetic and tender towards the baby
elephants, which is somewhat unusual for a bull elephant.
Visit Harry and the other ellies at the Knysna Elephant
Park. Contact 044 532 7732
The
synergistic partnership
between Knysna Elephant Park and
Boplaas Wines is a world-first
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