in the vineyard : Sauvignon Blanc vineyards are south facing, 9 years old and 420m above sea level. Planted with a vine spacing of 1.2m x 2.7m in deep, red, well draining sandy- loam soil. The vineyard tends to be too vigorous. Additional summer pruning and tipping keeps it in balance. Yields of 6 tons per hectare are achieved.
Age of vines: Planted 1993
Clone: Mixed
about the harvest: Hand picked grapes in the morning only to ensure cool grapes. The grapes were picked at 22.5-23° Balling, pH: 3.25, Total Acidity: 8.5 g/l
in the cellar : Crushed, destemmed and mash-cooled before settling. Skin contact for 4-6 hours. Cold fermented in steel tanks with selected yeast strains until dry. Wine kept on primary lees for 3 months.
Bottling date: 5 June 2003