As the winter solstice approaches on 21 June, the change of season brings a beauty of its own. The denuded trees expose the charming old Cape Dutch farmhouses which have become landmarks on the famous Boschendal Estate.
In the temperate climate of the Cape, winter is never as harsh, nor are the days as short, as in Europe. For locals the fresh crisp days are a welcome relief after the heat of summer and the intermittent rains bring nourishment to the dormant vines.
This is the time when the ground is prepared for new plantings and pruning of established vines begin.
Bethlehem in southern corner of the Boschendal Estate
For Boschendal's viticulturist, Spekkies van Breda, the wine growing and wine making processes are summed up in this poem:
Back of this wine is the Vintner,
And back through the years, his skill,
And back of it all are the vine,
In the sun,
And the rain,
And the Master's Will.
Spekkies van Breda
Spekkies van Breda was born and bred in the winelands. His father was winemaker for the Slanghoek winery near Worcester. If you wondered how he got to be named Spekkies - it's inherited from his maternal grandfather who loved pork crackling (spek means bacon in Afrikaans, Spekkies' mother tongue).
His rural upbringing has engendered in him a profound respect for nature and the natural course of things. Patience is all important in farming - conditions may be good for the vintage one year and bad the next. According to Spekkies, it's following consistently good viticulture practices, which sees one through.
This has indeed paid dividends, with Boschendal being awarded the Best Wine Producer in South Africa at the London Wine Trade Fair in 2004, and closer to home, obtaining the second place in the Annual Vineyard Block Competition for the Boland region.
Spekkies claims that Boschendal has the ideal setting for growing quality wine grapes, particularly on the eastern slopes of the Simonsberg. Here the mountain casts a shadow over the vineyards below, protecting them from the hot afternoon sun setting to the west. Furthermore a breeze from False Bay drifts over the Helshoogte Pass to cool off the grapes at night. They are coldest at 6am in the morning and this is mostly when harvesting begins. Most of the grapes (95%) are hand-picked and the machine harvester is only brought in to cope with a glut of ripening grapes.
Good soils and the multi-faceted sides of the mountainside give subtlety to the flavour of the Boschendal wines and in Boschendal's Sauvignon Blanc one can detect the aromas of fynbos, the indigenous undergrowth lying adjacent to the highest mountain vineyards.
Although Boschendal Estate covers 2240 ha, only 323 ha is cultivated. The balance is large tracts of nature reserves where indigenous flora and fauna and bird life are protected. 123 ha of orchards remain from the Rhodes Fruit Farm days and 200 ha is under vineyard, producing 1500 tons of grapes per annum; 52% of which are white grapes and 48% red.
Boschendal's major crops are Sauvignon Blanc 23%, Chardonnay 15%, Cabernet sauvignon 14% and Shiraz 10%.
When Spekkies took over the farming reins in 1995 he was able to put his MSc degree in Viticulture to good effect, centralising and standardising farming practices on the estate which had previously been divided into separate farming units.
A modest and accommodating person, Spekkies, looks forward to a challenge. He feels strongly about teamwork based on mutual respect and has the welfare of his staff close at heart. But don't be fooled into thinking Spekkies is all work and no play: he loves music and dancing - a true party creature! He plays the piano, piano accordion, trumpet and organ and also has a good voice, being known to serenade girl' hostels at university. A romantic at heart, Spekkies' favourite flower is a deep red rose - so watch it girls this guy's a catch!
Events at Boschendal
One of the many benefits that overflowed from the Cape Epic Cycle Race held at the end of April was the donation of six bikes to local schools. Pictured above are the pupils and teachers of Nondzame School and their headmistress, Mrs May, receiving their bike. Other schools in the valley to benefit were PC Petersen, Kylemore, Pniel Primary, Simondium and Khanyisa Schools.
Celebrations at Boschendal
It's Father's Day on Sunday 18 June 2006! Bring along the entire family to celebrate at Boschendal Restaurant with a good bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2001 - that is a treat any father would certainly appreciate!
The Boschendal Restaurant will be displaying its Rôtisseurs skills with "Xmas in June" on 24 & 25 June with a full course Xmas dinner, roast turkey, Xmas pudding and all the trimmings. The restaurant will even have a Xmas tree on display to conjure up the atmosphere of Xmas in winter.
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Staff News
We have had to take leave of a beloved former member of staff, Abram Swarz, who died after a long illness on 6 May 2006. Oom Appie who started work in the vineyards moved to the Boschendal gardens which he took great pride in maintaining. We remember with fondness his wit and willingness to help. May he rest in peace.
Wine News: Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2001
A wonderful wine for cold winter days is Boschendal's Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2001. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are grown along the Dwarfs River, one of the vineyards being close to Bethlehem pictured above. In winter spur-pruning takes place, followed by shoot-tipping in spring and finally the removal of uneven bunches just before harvesting in March. Long maturation and late ripening characterised the 2001 vintage, allowing for wines of great depth and complexity. The grapes were hand-picked and put into small containers to minimize damage during transport to the cellar. The grapes were crushed and fermented at 28�C and macerated for 27 days on their skins before pressing. After malolactic fermentation 30% of the wine was matured for 16 months in new French oak and the balance in second-fill barrels.
A classic Cabernet Sauvignon with layers of red fruits, fresh herbs and spices on the nose, it has dense tannin structure and a good concentration on the palate, making for a well balanced wine that will improve with time. With a consistent four star rating in John Platter's wine guide, our Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2001 is a fine tribute to Boschendal's vision of producing wines that compete with the best in the world.
Cellar Master JC Bekker has just returned from the London Wine Trade Fair where our wines were well received with new listings in top UK wine stores. Boschendal Sauvignon Blanc been selected by two top hotel chains in the USA and we received an ecstatic response from Leslie Hamilton, a restaurant manager in Pasadena California, who has added it to his wine list. The wine tasting centre at Boschendal is open daily and during winter there are cellar tours in the morning and afternoon.
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Culinary News
Pictured above are members of the Cape branch of the Chaînes de Rôtisseurs: Niel Els of Boschendal Restaurant seated with Damien from our sister winefarm, Vergelegen, and Tammy, recently transferred from Boschendal to Spier, standing behind him. The Chaînes (or Association Mondiale de la Gastronomie) is a worldwide network of top restauranteurs, hoteliers and chefs. A blazon, such as that on display at the Boschendal restaurant, is awarded to members who attain the Chaînes' exacting standards of cuisine, service and hospitality. Members meet regularly to share ideas and showcase fine cuisine amongst their peers. Founded in 1248, it was bestowed on the best chefs at the time, but lapsed to be resurrected in Paris in 1950 and has now branches in 70 countries in the world.
Seen here is Neil holding the Chaine blazon, with Letitia Prinsloo, Bailli du Cap, Tammy Michalistianos and Allison Rutowitz, Bailli Delegue Afrique du Sud
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