FROM OUR SOCIAL PEN INTERNATIONAL WINE CALENDAR
WELCOME TO OUR NEW HOMEOWNERS
NEWLY ESTABLISHED RESIDENTS WILDLIFE COMMITTEE
COVER PHOTO
FROM OUR SOCIAL PEN
We started the year with a welcome back party to welcome all old and new Croydonites. What an evening it was with wine, laughter and new dreams for 2024. Our dream for 2024 is that all residents feel welcome in our social environment and that young and old will have events to look forward to. We are trying to mix up the Friday events with a bigger variety of themes while also ensuring our big events are well-attended.
Our first big event was Grape Stomping, which is an annual favourite. It was a huge success due to all the positive vibes from our residents. We would like to thank everyone involved in making the evening something to remember - with children jumping into the grapes and adults laughing like children when grape pulp squelched between their toes. I realised that we are
never too old to have fun. Everyone had the opportunity to dust off their dancing shoes with music that played until late into the evening. We look forward to next year when we meet again, where the smell of grapes and sticky feet will remind us to live life to the fullest.
With the last heat wave and sunny evenings, our March calendar is packed and we want to get as much out of the weather as possible. So mark the dates on your calendar or print our Social Calendar and come and join us at the Lifestyle Centre. We’re looking forward to seeing you all there!
For these events to be successful, we need support from all our residents. Please do come and join us, have a glass of wine, and enjoy these events with us.
As the social team of Croydon, we want to join hands with residents in making our Social Calendar one that you would like to participate in and be part of. For any suggestions and/ or recommendations regarding events and entertainment, please email: marketing@croydon-estate.co.za.
Something to look forward to: Cartel Origin Coffee will be joining us from April. Grab your morning coffee at the drive-thru on your way to school or come and have a nice cup of coffee in the Lifestyle Centre. More information will follow soon.
EVENTS CALENDAR
DATES TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN MARCH
Lifestyle Centre
Welcome Back, Oom Ben!
For those who didn’t know,
Oom Ben was involved in a car accident last month and only returned on the 4th March, a little unsteady and tender.
We are so happy to have you back, Oom Ben, while you continue your recovery process and get stronger each day!
In the Words of the Winemaker
Croydon Harvest Update
WORDS RIKUS NEETHLING
As I am typing, we are picking our last fruits for the 2024 season.
As normal, the king is last - Cab is king!
corner of Kramat Road, followed by the Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc vineyards.
Pinotage and Merlot were the first grapes harvested for the red wines.
We started harvesting towards the end of January with the Pinotage Rose block that runs along the R102 from the security gate to the
There has been a small decline in quantity compared to last year’s harvest in most of the blocks, but we have had an increase in the Shiraz block. We’re waiting in
anticipation to see what the Cabernet Sauvignon is going to deliver today. The vineyards had their challenges this year with constant wind blowing during the growing period.
Although we had good rain during 2024, evaporation caused a water shortage during the ripening period, however, we tried to manage it as best we could. I am looking forward to starting to craft the 2025 vintage in the vineyards.
International
Wine Calendar
JANUARY
The month of January is a bit sparse, maybe because many practise a dry January. However, who doesn’t need a little “hair of the dog” after an overindulgent NYE and another day to pop open a bottle of bubbles, as if you didn’t have enough over the holidays!
FEBRUARY
Don’t you just love that Valentine’s Day offers a reason to pop open a great bottle, even if you aren’t a believer in the holiday?
1: National Bloody Mary Day (to cure those hangovers!)
10: Champagne and French Fry Day
1: International Furmint Day (Furmint is the most widely grape grown in the Tokaj wine region in Hungary) 14: Wine Lover’s Day
: International Syrah Day
: Global Drink Wine Day
: Open that Bottle Night (last Saturday)
INTERNATIONAL WINE CALENDAR CONTINUED
MARCH
March is short on wine holidays, however, Washington State has dedicated the entire month of March to celebrating wines from its various regions. So, technically, every day of March could be a wine holiday!
And, there are some other unique varietals to add to your menu this month.
3: Mulled Wine Day
13: International Riesling Day APRIL
If you haven’t tried wine from British Columbia, April is a great time to do so. BC has spoken for the entire month!
14: Tannat Day
17: Malbec World Day
23: International Cava Day
26: International Viognier Day
MAY
So, both Oregon and Finger Lakes (upstate New York area) have claimed the month of May.
As an Oregon Chardonnay fan, I definitely foresee a Willamette Valley Chardonnay on my table on 26 May.
INTERNATIONAL WINE CALENDAR CONTINUED
3: International Sauvignon
Blanc Day
9: World Moscato Day
17: National Pinot Grigio Day
23: International Chardonnay Day
24: Anniversary of the Judgment of Paris
25: National Wine Day
JUNE
June is an adventurous month with wines heralding from other countries and continents. Start the month wherever your cheese of choice originates. Travel on to France (or South Africa) with a Chenin Blanc and then make a quick
hop to Spain for a vibrant verdejo.
The month concludes in Italy with Lambrusco, a semi-sparkling, frizzantestyle red.
4: National Cheese Day
8: International Rosé Day (second Saturday)
8: Drink Chenin Blanc Day
9: World Verdejo Day
21: World Lambrusco Day
JULY
July offers another opportunity to pair wine and cheese, maybe because it’s just such a delectable combination. I also
heard somewhere that the first week of July is dedicated to sparkling wine. Maybe it’s to commemorate sparkling fireworks that blaze the sky on 4 July. Who knows? Regardless, I’ll take any excuse to open up some bubbly!
others to put on your list.
12: International Cava Day
25: National Wine an Cheese Day
25: Shiraz Day (fourth Thursday)
1: International Albariño Day 4: National White Wine Day 13: National Prosecco Day 18: International Pinot Noir Day 28: National Red Wine Day 29: National Cabernet Day
SEPTEMBER
AUGUST Washington State has designated yet another month to celebrate its wine. So whatever you didn’t get to in March, calendar it for the month of August. Plus, there are lots of
It just feels right that the month that ushers in autumn in the US also brings us the opportunity to open some juicy reds.
20 : International Grenache Day (third Friday)
INTERNATIONAL WINE CALENDAR CONTINUED
OCTOBER
Not a lot is happening on the wine front in October, with the exception of a couple of outliers. But with the football season in full force, sprinkle in some tailgating libations throughout the month like frothy beers and mixed drinks.
1: International Xinomavro Day
7: International Merlot Day
14: International Tempranillo Day (second Thursday)
20: National Zinfandel Day (third Wednesday)
21: Beaujolais Nouveau Day (third Thursday)
12: International Pinotage Day (second Saturday)
31: Carignan Day (last Thursday)
NOVEMBER
Oh, so many days of wine to enjoy in November!
And, you can be a virtual world traveller, too.
You can relish Greece on the first day of the month, Spain on the 10th, France on the 17th and Chile on the 24th!
24: World Carménère Day
DECEMBER
As the year comes to a close, it’s fitting that the last day of the month would be another day of bubbles.
4: Cabernet Franc Day
5: Prohibition Repeal Day
20: Sangria Day
31: National Champagne Day
Welcome to Our NEW HOMEOWNERS
• Rozaan & Peter Boer: 55 Capricorn Close
• Matthew & Riandi Bilton: 31 Sagittarius Lane
• Willoughby Vergottini & Johann de Beer: 32 Sagittarius Lane
• Alison & Richard Ryall: 2 Cancer Close
• Thomas Price: 22 Scorpio Lane
Newly Established Residents Wildlife Committee
WORDS THE WILDLIFE COMMITTEE
The newly established Croydon Wildlife Committee is a resident-led initiative to support the management of wildlife on Croydon Vineyard Estate. Croydon boasts a diverse range of wildlife, including birds, bats, bees, ducks, fish, geese, moles, owls, porcupines, snakes and wasps. Any interested residents can join the Committee! The Committee’s roles and responsibilities include:
• Provide Input and Recommendations:
The committee will advise the Estate Manager, and thereby the Trustees, on wildlife-related matters, suggesting solutions and improvements.
• Gather Resident Feedback: The committee will actively solicit input from residents on their wildlife-related experiences and concerns.
• Develop Proposals: The committee can propose work plans and budgets related to wildlife management for the Estate Manager and Trustee's consideration.
• Disseminate Information: The committee
RESIDENTS WILDLIFE COMMITTEE CONTINUED
will share important wildlife-related updates and information with the Estate Manager for circulation to all residents.
• Manage Research and Planning: The committee will oversee the management of any applicable research and planning prior to the introduction of any new species onto the Estate.
Current areas of focus for 2024 include:
• researching a duck and geese management and care programme,
• compiling and sharing information on snake catchers and what to do if bitten,
CROYDON WILDLIFE INTEREST WHATSAPP GROUP
If you are interested in joining the active voluntary, resident-run WhatsApp group for people interested in updates on and ways to feed into issues related to Wildlife at Croydon or join the committee, please click here.
CROYDON WILDLIFE COMMITTEE OVERVIEW
If you are interested in reading about the new Croydon Wildlife Committee, please click here.
• wasp management and service providers, and discussing co-existence with the porcupines.
RESIDENTS
WILDLIFE COMMITTEE CONTINUED
WASP MANAGEMENT AT CROYDON
Wasps continue to be a pest at Croydon, growing in numbers if not managed well. Did you know that wasps need to be managed as part of the government’s invasive species control plan? The German wasp was introduced into the Cape Peninsula in 1975. The European paper wasp is a more recent invader and was first recorded in 2008 in the Kuils River area. The German wasp is a significant threat to the grape industry as they are known to cause significant damage to grapes. As resident Cindy Herbst says, “The wasps are back with a vengeance. Please check your gutters, roof and windows. They build a nest within two days. Check your neighbours’ walls, where they don't normally look. They love hiding in granadilla bushes and others. Please, let's work together to save our bees. If you see wasps, their nests will be close by. Please break these down and be sure to trample the nests so that the larvae inside are destroyed too. This is best done at night with the help of a spray as the wasps are more docile at night.”
Unbelievably, 74 wasps were found inside this small metal bird at a home in Scorpio Lane in January. One of the service providers often contacted by residents to help with
wasp removals and inspections of homes (including roofs) for wasps is Stu on 082 211 8897.
If you are interested in joining a voluntary, resident-run WhatsApp group for people interested in managing wasps on Croydon, click here.
CARING FOR AND INTERACTING WITH DUCKS AND GEESE AT CROYDON
Please remember to only feed the ducks at the designated feeding spot next to the duck feeding sign at the middle dam. Please don’t run after or chase ducks or geese. If you run away from them, they will chase you. Please be careful as some of the geese can be feisty.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SNAKES AT CROYDON
Although there are stories of a few snakes seen around 21 RESIDENTS WILDLIFE COMMITTEE CONTINUED
RESIDENTS WILDLIFE COMMITTEE CONTINUED
Croydon each year, there has been no apparent harm to anyone.
A local snake handler gives this advice: “Should you ever encounter a snake, please keep a safe, three-metre distance away from the snake, and keep your eyes on it until an experienced snake handler arrives to catch it. Should you need assistance in removing a snake or identifying one, contact an experienced snake handler.”
Residents have gathered some
helpful contacts of snake handlers in the Helderberg area:
• Lijan Harrison: 074 223 5846
• Jessica: 082 887 8829
• Rudolph: 072 523 1589
• Justin: 079 189 3807
CAPE COBRA VISITS A HOME IN JANUARY 2024
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ESKOM TARIFF INCREASE
COCT Water & Sanitation
072 349 8002
Security Supervisor
Linda Mbobo
081 262 0301
security@croydon-estate.co.za
SecureRite Armed Response
0860 103 099
021 851 3374 All hours
Xone Command Centre
021 816 1234 Office hours only
HOA Office 021 843 3610 Office hours only
086 010 3089
WhatsApp 063 407 3699
Cape Town Municipality 021 467 1614
Eskom
086 0037 566 Account Number 9230515300
Metro Police & Traffic Services
086 076 5424
Macassar Police 021 857 1000
Macassar Fire Brigade 021 444 6790
Cape Town Fire Control 021 590 1900
Ambulance
10177 (Western Cape Government)
084 124 (ER24)
082 911 (Netcare)
Vergelegen Medi Clinic
021 850 9000 021 851 3399
Hottentots Holland Hospital 021 850 4700
Helderberg Home Nursing Services
021 852 6290 072 293 4797 (Emergency)
PlumbStar Plumbing
071 196 4911
Mark Wainwright
Electrician
072 512 9237
Willie Goosen
Snake Catcher
079 189 3807
Justin Collocot
067 244 6972
Jozaa van Niekerk