in the vineyard : Origin
This is a 100% Sauvignon Blanc and was made from the fourth production of grapes from one vineyard in the Walker Bay area close to the town Bot River. The slope faces south-west and is situated approximately 10 kilometres from the Indian Ocean.
Vintage
The build-up towards the 2008 season was almost perfect for wine-making, with a cold winter, cool spring-time, welcome early summer rains and a dry January. Routine leaf management and other necessary practices were almost problem-free until the end of January, when the Boland area experienced an unusually long-lasting heat wave. Early varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc were deprived of the valuable last period of hanging on the vines and earlier harvesting was necessary. In spite of this, the flavours and analyses were good, with high acids combined with higher sugars. Grapes were also exceptionally healthy.
Viticulture
The plant material is from the clone SB11 and was grafted on rootstock Richter 99. Plant width is 2,7m x 1,2m and the vineyard is trellised. The block, planted in 2001, is irrigated. The farm and this block are organically managed and, with medium potential soils, these vines were not yet fully trellised and mature. During this vintage a good balance existed between bunches in the sun and shaded bunches. The result is a mix of tropical flavours and a green spectrum of flavours typical of this varietal.