Perdeberg Winery

2009 Harvest - 07 April 2009

PERDEBERG IS POSITIVE

They’re celebrating at Perdeberg after another successful harvest and one of the winery’s biggest yields in its 68-year history.  While many producers are forced to cut back on production in these troubled times, Perdeberg’s enormous 18,010-tonne harvest is a sure sign of confidence.  The harvest began on 18 January - Chardonnay grapes for Perdeberg’s Methode Cap Classique were the first to be picked - and ended on 26 March 2009. The quality of all grapes was excellent with smaller berries and looser bunches - good early indicators.

Forty men and women worked long hours throughout the harvest and carefully handled the grapes all the way through the cellar. Included in this team were 12 temporary ‘parshulpe’, who are tomorrow’s winemakers. Working in the cellar is a ‘rite of passage’ for the owners.  Many of them have spent at least one season in the cellar, some even with the first winemaker, Joseph Huskisson.  Their children continue the tradition to promote an understanding of farming, wine-making and cellar management.Perdeberg’s winemaker, Riaan Möller is confident that 2009 will be an excellent year for the wine industry despite the current global slowdown.

Perdeberg Wines are widely available in all major stockists, online at www.perdeberg.co.za or direct from the cellar (08h00 - 17h00 weekdays; 10h00 -14h00 Saturdays).  Tel: 021 869 8244 or email: info@perdeberg.co.za.