March 2015
FRANSCHHOEK
Windies legend visits
Karate students make history
Italian fashion for Franschhoek
Page 2
Page 3
Page 8
Grape harvest in full swing Early start; good quality
Photo: Eddie Wilson - Foto Artist Studio
Scan the QR code to read the Tatler online
Grape harvesting in full swing at Akkerdal Wine Estate
The fact that some of Franschhoek’s farmers returned from their Christmas holidays earlier than expected had a viticultural reason – the grapes were ripening earlier than usual and called for the harvest to start sooner than anticipated. The Tatler spoke to some wine farmers about the harvest and found a general optimism. Kevin Swart, chairman of Vignerons Franschhoek said, “The dry windy summer has impacted volumes. The yield is about 15% down and the harvest is two to three weeks earlier than usual. End of harvest expectations are exciting as there are text book sugars and ripeness.” By all accounts the cellars are working at capacity and labour issues dating back to the beginning of the year have been resolved. The farmers spoke about the weather which saw a cold winter and early summer heat causing the grapes to ripen early this year. Everyone referred to the effect of the wind and the cool mornings and evenings.
Pieter Hanekom van Akkerdal verwag “’n paar goeie witwyne” en sê hy is nie te haastig met die rooiwyne nie, hy hou die fenoliese ryptyd mooi dop.’n Mens moet maar wingerd toe en gereeld proe; jy kan nie uit die kantoor boer nie. Hy voeg by dat die wingerd mooi gebot het na die koue winter en dat die hitte van Desember en Januarie hitte stres in die wingerde meegebring het.
Nick Davies from Franschhoek Pass Cellar is expecting the best harvest in his 12 years of winemaking. He confirms that the fruit ripened two
weeks earlier than usual and says the formation of bunches was more regular, making for even ripening. “In France it would be called a vintage year.” He says he had the same feedback from farmers in Australia and New Zealand.
DP Burger van Glenwood beaam dat die parsseisoen vroeër as ooit begin het en dat verskillende vareïteite hierdie jaar gelyk ryp geword het. Glenwood se Semillon was drie weke vroeër ryp as wat hy verwag het. Die wit oes gaan moontlik ‘n bietjie ’ligter’ wees as verlede jaar, “maar die ontledings is mooi.” Die rooi druiwe word stadig ryp in die koeler weer wat tans ervaar word.
John Dendy Young from La Petite Ferme is delighted with this season’s fantastic Sauvignon Blanc quality. He says the grapes are not sunburnt, in spite of his concern during the hot weather of January. “We’ve been getting up early every morning to complete the harvest before the intense heat of the day.” Their harvest is about a week earlier than usual and John says, “I expect it to concertina towards the end.” As usual, the baboons feasted on a block of La Petite Ferme’s Chardonnay near the pass, but were kept away from other vineyards with the help of a paint ball gun. If Franschhoek farmers go on an Easter break a bit earlier than usual, one could safely assume that the reason would be viticultural and that they also finished harvesting earlier than expected.