B
esides managing Lorna, another
important duty in the smooth running
of Stonehill Farm is the regular
clearing of vine cuttings between the
rows of vines. Of course, Bristle is in charge of
this task, she dutifully gathers a branch every
time she walks in the vineyard and carries it
home with great effort, as usually the piece
of dead wood is about twice her size. She’s
the only dog on the farm that truly earns her
keep, by clearing the grounds of kindling,
which helps prevent the notorious bushfires
that can ravage the farms and reserves in
the winelands. Instead, her cuttings provide
coals for a perfect braai fire. Now who would
not approve of this?
Lorna grew up in Cape Town as a city child,
but she regularly visited her Grandmother
on Muratie farm. Here she played with
animals, wallowed with pigs, rode horses,
and became acquainted with the fine art
of wine making. At the age of eight, while
other kids splurged their Christmas money
on sweets, she, instead, proudly her bought
her first bottle of port. She dreamed about
being a farmer and working with animals,
but would wander a long and circuitous
route before this would transpire. A love for
physical activity had her do board sailing,
and join the air force in 1976 as a 17 year old.
She started farming on Stonehill in 1988.
Visit us, Tripedoubleyou Zoo
and the AWSS on Facebook
during October to win some
of Bristle’s own wine!
“This tiny puppy, appar
Cairn Terrier, a roll of ba
crept her way deep into an
and there she rules Stone
bristly m