Neuras: Namibia’s Desert Oasis of Wine and Wildlife

This week, CNN’s Inside Africa travels to Namibia to uncover a story that surprises even the most seasoned travellers. In one of the driest regions of the world stands a remarkable and unlikely treasure. Neuras Wine and Wildlife Estate is a vineyard that rises from the ochre sands of the Namib. It is a place where conservation and craftsmanship meet, and where the creation of wine becomes a testament to determination and imagination. 

Conservationist and CEO of Naankuse, Dr Rudi van Vuuren, remembers the moment he first glimpsed this desert gem. He describes it vividly. The first time he saw Neuras was from the air. In October 2009, after releasing a leopard into the Namib Naukluft Park, he was tracking her from his plane when he noticed what looked like an oasis. The sight of green in such a stark landscape stirred his curiosity. Once back in Windhoek, he made enquiries until he eventually discovered that the oasis was, in fact, a winery. The intrigue quickly grew into action and by 2011 Neuras officially became part of Naankuse. With a laugh, he recalls the next step. They now needed to start making wine.

With little experience in viticulture, Rudi spent more than a decade searching for a winemaker who could understand both the climate and the vision. He eventually found that person in Braam Gericke, originally from South Africa. Braam has a reputation for innovation and intuition, qualities needed in a vineyard that is the second driest on the planet. Nestled in the foothills of the Naukluft mountains, Neuras faces several challenges. Limited rainfall, blazing heat and the constant task of preventing baboon raids on the vines all form part of the daily reality.

In spite of these hurdles, Braam has an unmistakable affection for the work. He often says that it is not a job, it is a form of art. Winemaking at Neuras is both ancient and modern. It blends the gifts of age old underground water sources with techniques that remain refreshingly traditional. An old fashioned wine press is still used in the cellars before the wine is transferred to barrels where it matures for between twelve and eighteen months. Harvest season is a communal affair. Everyone at Neuras contributes, reinforcing the sense that each bottle is created through shared effort. Bottling is done on site and the wine is then distributed through the various Naankuse Collection channels.

The journey has not been without its challenges, yet the rewards have been significant. A particularly proud milestone came when Neuras received five gold medals at an international competition. The victory, Braam says, was a moment they all shared. It was not an individual accolade but a collective celebration of perseverance.

Winemaking in Namibia remains a young industry, and Neuras stands as a symbol of its promise. Braam often reflects on the heart behind the craft. Passion is not a story to tell. Passion is a story to show. He hopes that every person who tastes Neuras wine experiences not only the flavour of the desert but also the dedication that shaped it.

In the end, Neuras is more than a vineyard. It is a story of vision, resilience and possibility. It is proof that even in the most unlikely places, something extraordinary can take root.