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Where has this year gone? All of a sudden it is winter again, or spring, and one can hardly believe all the things that have happened and are behind us once again.
We had some consistent but much needed rains through the whole of spring and well into early summer which really helped the vines through the early growing stages. As soon as fruit was set the rains stopped and the fruit was allowed to mature pretty much disease free.
The summer was hot and dry, but bewitchingly beautiful once again. There are few things on earth as seductive and enchanting as summertime in the Boland. Throughout winter one dreams of those long balmy evenings outside when one can put up your feet, have a glass of wine and forget the gruelling midday heat.
The harvest was hot and hard and filled with all the joy and worries that come with every harvest. Heavy heat waves in January and February placed the vines and olives under considerable stress. Irrigation was essential everywhere and required some fine footwork to get water to the right places at the right times.
Gunter says that the 2011 grape harvest was one of the toughest he has experienced in his career as winemaker. However, he believes that we managed to produce some really great parcels of fruit and that the 2011 Viognier promises to be one of the best Viognier vintages from Kleinood. |
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This year we had two pairs of extra hands during the harvest. MC Stander was the assistant winemaker and Matt Walters joined the team to do anything anywhere as long as he could be busy and learning about vines and wine. They were great guys to have on the team and brought much joy and laughter over and above their diligence and enthusiasm for the job.
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Harvest 2011: Gunter & Matt |
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Harvest 2011: MC & Gunter |
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During the harvest Gerard was in Europe for a month with marketing and engineering matters. He attended wine shows in England, Germany and Belgium and came back pale and European-looking while the rest of us had a healthy tan and rural air about us.
With the Olives we initially looked at having a big crop. However as fruit set finished, the trees seemed to naturally balance themselves. After last year’s dismal crop we anxiously watched every tree as the fruit ripened. As usual the Coratina trees were the last to yield their much-needed crop for the De Boerin 2011.
And then, suddenly, it was all done. The rain started and the vines, the olives and the gardens got what they needed to be triggered into sleep mode. For the vineyard and olive teams, the gardening team and the composters their well-deserved break came not a moment too soon. Suddenly the farm had become a sleepy hollow of contentment under the grey blanket of rain. |
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Although sleepy, things were still happening.
While Gerard, Thelma and Gunter attended numerous shows, new puppies arrived, an otter killed some geese, the lynx killed our cat and the hens finally accepted the responsibility of providing eggs!
< ............................................... Gerhard and Thelma attending a wine show! |
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However, the most welcome and happiest occasion of all on Kleinood was the birth of Joey and Lizanne’s little boy, Llewdan José Plaatjies!
Joe is not only the proud father of two daughters and a son now, but also a very proud member and organiser of the Baauwklippen tug-of-war team.
They have come out tops in all the competitions in which they participated and we are watching their progress with great pride.
If Joe doesn’t become a father again he will hopefully organise a sports day for the valley next year.
Joey Plaatjies and his newborn son! ............................................... > |
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Right now we have just completed removing any unwanted weeds in the vineyards by spade and fork, as we no longer use herbicides on the farm. All young and replacement vines are also enjoying some much-needed attention. The forest area has been cleaned up and all alien vegetation removed. The oak trees have lost all their leaves and the fruit trees, olives and roses have been pruned. The warm spells we have had have resulted in buds and blossoms and just the slightest promise of spring on its way.
< ...................................................................... Pruning has its moments! |
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The Tamboerskloof Syrah 2007 and the De Boerin extra virgin olive oil 2011 were launched in June and are now available from the winery and other outlets. The Tamboerskloof Viognier 2011 will be launched in September.
The Tamboerskloof Syrah received a silver medal at the Decanter wine show in London and received 90-points from Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 2011.
Tamboerskloof wine is also now available in Japan and USA (Texas). |
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Until next time,
The Kleinood team
Kleinood Farm
Blaauwklippen Road, Stellenbosch
P O Box 12584, Die Boord 7613
Tel +27 21 880 2527 | Fax +27 21-880 2884
sales@kleinood.com | www.kleinood.com |
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