Land n Sand Sep / Oct 2013 | Page 12

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