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The sun is setting behind Table Mountain and False Bay below looks like a fairy-tale landscape illuminated by seemingly minuscule orange and white lights. Here’s a man who has not only mastered the art of winemaking, but also of getting peo...
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"Over the years a lot has been done to preserve and share the magnificent 311-year old heritage that is Vergelegen, and we are now adding an exciting new entertainment area that will delight families,” says Leslie.
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IN THE VINEYARDS WITH ANDRE VAN RENSBURG, VERGELEGEN WINEMAKER
The sun is setting behind Table Mountain and False Bay below looks like a fairy-tale landscape illuminated by seemingly minuscule orange and white lights. Here’s a man who has not only mastered the art of winemaking, but also of getting people’s undivided attention.
"Our vineyards are totally virus-free,” Andre states and explains the analogy between leafroll and AIDS. "Leafroll is the most significant and hard to beat virus disease found in vineyards all over the world. It’s mainly transmitted by the grafting of unknowingly infected propagation material and spreads at an alarming rate. And, the same way as ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) is used as a screening test for HIV, the wine industry uses it as a diagnostic tool for leafroll.” ELISA is a biochemical technique used mainly in immunology to detect the presence of an antibody or an antigen in a sample. "The safest way to farm is to use certified virus-free plant material,” he concludes.
Leafroll doesn’t destroy the grapevine, but causes a decline in fruit yield. It also lowers the quality of the grapes by delaying the accumulation of sugar and lowering the production of anthocyanin in red wine cultivars. Fortunately there are no health risks involved in drinking wine made from grapes harvested from leafroll-infected grapevines; the virus is not found in the grapes.
It is totally dark now and then time has come to climb back into the tractor for the next leg of our journey through Vergelegen’s vineyards. From the highest point on Schaapenberg vineyard, home to the delightful Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, we bump along the track to the Korhaan vineyard to taste its fabulous 2010 Chardonnay Reserve. The views on Schaapenberg at sunset are astounding, but the nighttime ambience on the way down is equally inspiring. Swarms of flickering fire flies offer the most magical sight! And Andre loves shining his torch to illuminate the many exquisite flowers alongside the farm track. "Let’s see which flowers we can find over there,” he says as he focusses on the vineyards. Instantly, two ladies in the back start giggling. "I’d rather find an eligible bachelor in there,” I hear the one lady chuckle...
At Korhaan, one of Andre’s favourite vineyards, welcoming fires are waiting for us and delicious nibbles accompany generous servings of Vergelegen wine. The already jolly party becomes merrier as the wine flows, and Andre finds it increasingly difficult to herd us back into the tractor. "We’ll never make it back in time for the Ploughman’s Platter,” he warns with a grin. Andre’s been wanting to take guests on a Sunset Vineyard Tour for a long time and is thrilled by our enthusiasm. "It feels like a dream come true,” he says.
Back at the winery, where we started the Sunset Vineyard Tour a few hours earlier with a glass of Vergelegen MMV, Andre surprises us with a glass of heavenly Semillon Vin De Paille (as yet unreleased!). "Are those frogs calling in the background?” one of the guests asks. "It’s packed with frogs here,” Andre confirms. "The other day I had one in my garage, so of course, the car stayed outside for the night.”
We conclude the vineyard tour with a delectable Ploughman’s Platter at The Restaurant and indulge in more wine. "I haven’t had such great fun in a long time,” the one guest comments. "And I didn’t expect to learn so much,” another adds cheerfully.
Date: 30 Nov 2011
A GLIMPSE BEHIND THE SCENES WITH LESLIE NAIDOO, COMMERCIAL & RISK MANAGER AT VERGELEGEN.
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"Over the years a lot has been done to preserve and share the magnificent 311-year old heritage that is Vergelegen, and we are now adding an exciting new entertainment area that will delight families,” says Leslie. |
RODDY BRAY'S FOOD & WINE PAIRING TIP
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Winner of the Premium Shiraz 2008 Food & Wine Pairing Competition |
SULPHUR DIOXIDE IN WINE
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Why do we use sulphur dioxide in wine? |
LET'S TALK ABOUT WINE
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"To Cap or to Cork” |
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH DON TOOTH, MD OF VERGELEGEN
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Don is not only the MD of Vergelegen, but also has the singular privilege, which is shared by few, of living on the Estate. |
VERGELEGEN ESTATE
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Since 1700 and to this day, Vergelegen (meaning "situated far away"), has been crafted by some of the world's great explorers and visionaries, who each in their own way have helped shape Vergelegen to what it is today: a world-class Estate. |