15/01/2026
Out here on the farm, we’re always looking for ways to work with nature, not against her. This week marked another small but exciting step in that direction, as we carried out one of our scheduled releases of two species of indigenous natural predators, Anagyrus and Perminutus, to help control mealybugs in the vineyards. These releases form part of a programme that takes place three times throughout the growing season, aimed at suppressing vine mealybug populations naturally and sustainably. No sprays. No chemicals. Just biology doing what it does best. This approach has been part of our farming system here since 2018 when we first started with augmentative releases of beneficial insects for the control of Mealybug.
If you’ve never heard of Anagyrus vladimiri, picture a tiny, determined wasp, barely 2 mm long, that parasitises mealybugs by laying its eggs inside them. As the young wasp develops, it feeds on the mealybug from within, eventually turning it into a small hardened “mummy”. Once the adult wasp emerges, it gnaws a tiny exit hole and sets off in search of a new host. It’s as fascinating, and slightly eerie, as it sounds, but it remains one of the most effective and environmentally friendly ways to keep our vines healthy and balanced.
These tiny allies might be almost invisible to the naked eye, but their impact is extraordinary. By keeping the mealybug population under control throughout the season, they protect the vines from stress and disease, allowing the grapes to ripen evenly and the vineyard ecosystem to flourish. And because no chemicals are used, other beneficial insects, soil life, and even our resident owls continue to thrive undisturbed.
We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating. Everything on Eenzaamheid is connected. From the barley straw that protects our soils, to the owls nesting in the werf trees, and now these microscopic guardians among the vines, each plays a vital role in maintaining the natural rhythm of the farm.
Next time you pour a glass of our wine, know that there’s an entire world of natural harmony behind every sip. It’s one more reminder that when we trust nature to do her work, she never disappoints.