Old Vine Project: May Newsletter

MAY 2019 NEWSLETTER

Thank you to all the entrants who photographed vineyards older than 35 years. The winner of the competition is Zach Moolman, for his photograph titled: ‘En-lightening’. The photograph was captured in the Lötter Cinsault vineyard in Franschhoek, which was planted in 1932.

“The old arms portray lightning protruding from the temperamental clouds.It has been an enlightening experience farming this block of old vines.Also, find what looks like the head of one of Rosa Kruger's favourite birds (tarentaal) on the bottom right arm.” – Zach Moolman.

Felco Africa turns 75 in 2020 and is looking for a vineyard pruning ambassador who shares its birth date. The candidate must turn 75 in 2020 and be an experienced vineyard pruner. Please send suggestions to Nadia at info@oldvineproject.co.za.

It was with great excitement that we left for Durban to attend the first of four shows this year, a first for the Old Vine Project. In partnership with TOPS at SPAR The Wine Show, the OVP is attending the Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town shows. We have one tasting daily in Jon Meinking’s Wine Theatre, with a neighbouring stand where we interact with delegates. At first we decided not to offer any wine for tasting, but after a full house (and a que outside the theatre) on the first evening, we continued to talk old vines with interested tasters along with a few bottles left from the theatre. We were pleasantly surprised by the interest of the visitors, the questions and interest. The awareness around the show is excellent and many visitors have already read about the OVP and wanted to learn more. A few trade visits during the daytime also helped to encourage wine store owners and restaurateurs to visit. We even sold some wine and we anticipate good sales for the upcoming shows.

We would like to thank the organizers of The Wine Show for the generosity and opportunity to showcase the OVP, as part of our domestic activation. We are looking forward to Johannesburg show, taking place from 6 - 8 June 2019 at Montecasino.

A dream in the making for more than a year was realised in March this year, when the inaugural Old Vine Heritage Tours by helicopter launched from Cape Town, followed the coastline from Muizenberg and crossed over to the Helderberg. Our guests, Rob and Stacie Wilson, successfully secured this sought-after lot at the auction and were overwhelmed by the beauty of our winelands and the hospitality shown by our hosts of the day – Waterford Estate, Creation Wines and Anthonij Rupert Wyne.

Thank you to Ken Kinsey-Quick for the world-class transport by helicopter and pilot Chris Leatt for his time.

Cathy van Zyl MW arranged an old vine wine tasting and seminar in Japan, with the support of Kenichi Ohashi MW and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust office in Tokyo. Rosa Kruger shared the importance of old vineyards and stories of the diversity of the South African winelands. The OVP was received with great enthusiasm by Master of Wine candidates, sommeliers, the wine trade, educators and journalists.

Cathy and Rosa visited Château Mercian to exchange knowledge on viticultural practices and the impact of global warming on planting conditions.

André Morgenthal was invited to attend this leading global wine tourism event in the Basque Country from 11–16 March 2019 as a presenter and as part of the press group. André presented the South African wine tourism strategy informed by the Vinpro Wine Industry Strategic Exercise and input from Wesgro, as well as ‘Old Vine Heritage Tours as a Differentiator in Wine Tourism’.

The technical visits offered valuable opportunities to connect with old vine custodians in Rioja and cross-reference good practice.

The OVP presented at ProWein this year with the generous support of Wines of South Africa. André shared the beautiful story of South African old vines with a full theatre of 50 members of international media and trade. This was also a valuable opportunity to interact with other regions with old vines, for example Barossa, Chile, Lodi and Rioja.

Members are welcome to order a plaque in a resin or bronze format, as well as certification seals from Nadia at info@oldvineproject.co.za.

OVP Photographic Competition Winner

FELCO Brand Ambassador

TOPS at Spar Wine Show

Cape Wine Auction 2019

Old Vine Seminar in Japan

International Wine Tourism Conference

ProWein 2019

Certification Seals