in the vineyard : Background
Allesverloren, situated on the south-eastern slopes of the Kasteelberg near Riebeek West, is the oldest estate in the Swartland Wine of Origin district and is renowned for its red wines and port.
The farm, which dates back to 1704, began producing wine exactly a century later. In 1872 Allesverloren was acquired by Daniel Francois Malan and has remained in the Malan family for five generations.
Winemaker Danie Malan and his late father, Fanie, were among the wine pioneers of the Swartland, ably demonstrating the outstanding wine-growing potential of what was once considered the breadbasket of the Cape. While wheat remains the major crop in the region, increasing numbers of wine farms are established each year to take advantage of the excellent terroir.
Vineyards (viticulturist: Danie Malan)
The grapes for this wine were sourced from mostly unirrigated vineyards in the Riebeekberg ward. Eight years old at the time of harvesting, the vines grow in Malmesbury shale, known for its good water-retention capacity. Vineyard management practices and judicious grape selection mean that these trellised vines yield no more than 6 to 8 tons per hectare. Some 20% of the vineyards were irrigated, using the drip method, to avoid undue stress to the vines.