The vibrant energy of the lush cover-cops lining these gnarled Chenin Blanc vines is only surpassed by the imposing figure sitting next to me. “How’s that for some serious cover-crop?” says Ken Forrester in that familiar tone of voice which always seems to sound one-part question, one-part wonder and two-parts enthusiasm.
He commands disembarkation from his vehicle to inspect the dense, knee-high growth of grass and grain. This forms a living natural cluster between the vineyard rows, rejuvenating the soil with carbon and earth-worms, as well as attracting critters to rather inhabit this plush growth than to chomp on the vines.