in the vineyard : The wine is named for the Caapmans, a loosely knit group of herder tribes the early settlers encountered grazing their cattle along the Cape’s West Coast and inland, around the hills of Durbanville. It is made from 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot.
about the harvest: The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for this wine were sourced from a north-east facing, low-yield vineyard (6 to 9 tons per hectare), established in 1990 and planted in deep, dark red soils at around 250 metres above sea-level. The grapes were hand harvested in March at 25° to 26° Balling.
The Merlot was picked from two north-east facing vineyards on the valley floor, located about 200 metres above sea level and planted in deep red soils. The vineyards, established in 1991, produced no more than 9 tons per ha. They were hand harvested in March at 27° Balling.