VITICULTURE & VINEYARDS   

On purchasing the Estate in 1987, Anglo American drew up a detailed master plan for the development of the vineyards. After intensive climatic and soil analysis conducted over 2 years, the first new vines were planted in 1989. This was the start of the Vergelegen renaissance.

The meticulous combination of all the elements that make up the terroir of Vergelegen is undeniably key to the production of Vergelegen's signature wines.

Altitude and orientation

The vineyard sites at Vergelegen range in altitude between 140 to 310 metres above sea level with slopes facing north to north-west and south to south-east. In the southern hemisphere, the latter comprise the coolest sites which, on Vergelegen, are generally planted to classic white varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, as well as Chardonnay. The warmer northern slopes, with their deep, rocky soils providing excellent drainage, are more suitable to reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Shiraz.


Climate

Temperatures monitored at three automatic and six manual weather stations on the Estate indicate a two degree Celsius difference between the lower north to north-west facing slopes and the higher plateau and south facing slopes. The climate at Vergelegen is mild due to its close proximity to the chilly Atlantic Ocean at False Bay, some six kilometres away which places the Estate within the typical Mediterranean temperature classification.

Soil & planting density

Vergelegen boasts a rich array of 21 soil types some of which are among the most ancient viticultural soils in the world. Vines have mainly been established on Clovelly, Glenrosa and Pinedene soils, characterised by a high clay content ensuring good water retention during the critical early-summer ripening stage.

Cultivars and rootstock have been carefully selected to optimally match each soil type. Planting density varies from 2200 to 4000 vines per hectare and is dictated by terroir, variety and rootstock. All the vines are trained vertically onto hedge trellis.

Plantings

The current plantings cover 157.9 ha comprising Cabernet Sauvignon (46.57 ha), Merlot (20.08 ha), Cabernet Franc (8.61), Shiraz (5.83), Sauvignon Blanc (43.58 ha), Semillon (14.36 ha), Chardonnay (13.46 ha) Petit Verdot (2.94 ha), Malbec (2.47 ha).

All Varieties   Cabernet Sauvignon   Cabernet Franc   Chardonnay   Merlot   Sangiovese   Sauvignon Blanc   Semillon   Shiraz