Flemish actor Filip Peeters has officially launched the new grape season in Tervuren, Hoeilaart, Huldenberg and Overijse (Flemish Brabant). He was delighted to return to the region where he grew up and recalled how his mother used to go and buy grapes from greenhouses in Duisburg, near Tervuren.
With a broad smile actor Filip Peeters cut the first grapes of the new season in the greenhouses of greenhouse grower Michel De Kerk in Duisburg, a borough of Tervuren.
Peeters describes himself as a ‘Tervuurien’, an Tervuren person: “I grew up here and went to school here. I remember how my mum used to come and buy grapes in these very greenhouses. We often had to wait until September. Now they’re available much earlier.”
According to Peeters, table grapes from Flemish Brabant are among the very best in the world. “They are truly unique in the world. Nowhere else are the grapes so delicious and of such high quality. Unfortunately, the greenhouse growers are dying out and there are few successors. Even a top name like Michel Dekerk has no successors. I also used to be a chef here in Jezus-Eik at the former Michelin-star restaurant Barbizon. During the season, we had a signature dessert: a mille feuille made with local grapes.”
A mille feuille is a vanilla slice or Napoleon.
Filip Peeters is calling on the local and Flemish authorities not to let the tradition of greenhouse growers in the Grape Region to be lost. “The grapes are so good and of such high quality; this grape-growing craft must not be lost. It needs much more support.”
Mayor of Tervuren Thomas Geyns also emphasises that grape growing must be cherished. “Our grape-growing is at risk of dying out. There are still around six professional greenhouse growers, like Michel here. That deserves greater recognition, even abroad. The province is launching a new themed trail for walkers and cyclists past the greenhouse growers in the Grape Region.”
New greenhouse growers in Overijse
In Overijse, initiatives are underway to support grape growing. For example, there is the highly popular ‘Become a Greenhouse Grower’ course, and there are grape ambassadors. There are also new greenhouse growers such as Sven and Joris from Klein Siberië, the Bacchus greenhouse business, and a new generation is taking over at Druiven Dewit. Yet it is not straightforward. It is not just hard work. New businesses and building plans sometimes face protests or a rigid bureaucracy.
Eat and Ride ('Happen en Trappen')
“Eat and Ride is set to become the new culinary experience trail, a 50-kilometre cycle route where participants can stop at five locations to eat and drink.
Grape growers and greenhouse growers face a shortage of workers. Five years ago, the provincial authorities organised a course to teach the trade. As a province, we must work together with the local councils to cherish and support this tradition here,” says Tom Dehaene, Member of the Provincial Executive.