Monday was a long and rewarding day. After months of planning we bottled BLANKbottle BATAVIA, my first Cape Blend. A Cape blend is a Bordeaux style blend that consists of 20% or more Pinotage. I make use of a mobile bottling plant. The unit is fixed to a truck. They come to the winery and open the sides, steam clean the bottling line and connect the pipe to the tank. The bottles and corks go into the one end and the bottles are filled, closed and packed into wooden crates. Besides some hold-ups with the filtering process, all went very well. I invited a few friends over and we opened a bottle. The wine is fantastic: traditional, but with a different edge.
Tuesday I headed off to the Swartland in search of a possible new wine. I spent the day with one of South Africa’s most innovative wine growers. It’s great to spend time with growers that truly love the people who work for them. The people in charge of the vineyard often struggle to get recognition for their work. And this is where most of the work is done in creating these fascinating wines. Truly complex, spectacular Shiraz. I came back inspired!
Thursday we went for another vineyard tour high up in the valley next to Stellenbosch. When driving up the Blaawklippen road, you follow it right to the end and then head up into the mountain. Great views, innovative vineyards, clear visions with a solid winemaking foundation. I am sure that these guys will be producing fantastic wines in future.
Wednesday and Friday were filled with admin and on the weekend my brother Wilhelm and myself spent time at the new offices. Painting etc...... We want to move into the office by Tuesday the 1st.
