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The new top blend from the estate is called ‘Telos’ and the first vintage to be released is the 2015.

A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec and 3% Merlot, all the grapes are hand harvested block by block in a carefully managed series of phases. There is rigorous sorting and a mix of whole and crushed berries are then fermented with indigenous yeasts, basket pressed and then only free run juice is collected and matured in barrel for 22 months prior to bottling.

Agri Western Cape’s Young Farmer of the year for 2018, Johann de Wet of De Wetshof Wine Estate, tells Glenneis Kriel how he and his brother, Peter, are keeping their family’s wine-making legacy alive.

Being the son of legendary winemaker Danie de Wet could easily have been intimidating, but Johann de Wet sees it as a privilege and a way to create a legacy for his children.

The Von Arnim family colours are red and white, and their motto is 'Sun, Soil, Vine, Man'. Perhaps it is a coincidental nod to the red and white wine which runs through their veins. Achim von Arnim built a classic South African vineyard and brand from scratch, and seemingly not much has changed at Haute Cabrière in the six years since his son took over the reins from him. However, ‘it’s an evolution, not a revolution’.

Pinot noir for Kaapse Vonkel was picked with an impressively healthy appearance and text book analysis. We were especially pleased with the high levels of acidity bringing a welcome change from 2018, when the extreme drought caused lower acidity due to water stress and higher temperatures. Pinot noir surprised us with higher quantities than expected. The last Pinot to be picked came from the cool sites of Elgin on 1 February.

“Do you compete on price or do you have a story to tell?” This question by Vinpro’s Christo Conradie at the annual Industry Information day, got a lot of traction on Twitter. And it is an important question. One we all know the answer to. Or do we? In such a competitive environment, can it really be more about story than price?

“This morning the cellar smelled like mussels and I could hear the ocean in the background,” says winemaker of Cape Point Vineyards, Riandri Visser. “Just being here makes you feel instantly refreshed.

“The vineyards must also feel that energy; and that intensity hopefully carries over into the wines,” she says.

With uncertainty about land reform and a lack of economic growth, it is easy to be negative about the bigger picture for South African wine in 2019. But the takeaways from the annual Vinpro wine industry day, makes me see a glass that is half full.

Although I couldn’t attend South Africa’s most important wine industry information day, I am so thankful for getting real-time updates from the enthusiastic twitterati and after hearing the thoughts of colleagues who attended the event, I even dare to share some interpretations.

Q.  When and where were you born ? 

“I was born in Durban, South Africa in 1985.”

Q.  Where did you study and what qualifications do you have ? 

“I studied winemaking and viticulture at Elsenburg Agricultural College, qualifying with a B.Agric Viticulture and Oenology in 2006.”

La Motte Wine Estate has been appointed as the 2019 Drinks International Wine Tourism Awards Winner for Best Food and Wine Matching Experience for an unprecedented fifth time!

The historic estate in the Franschhoek Wine Valley, acclaimed as South Africa’s culinary hotspot, has also received this exceptional recognition in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018.