According to SAWIS and surveys conducted in mid-February 2011 by producer cellars and viticulturists in the various regions, the crop is smaller than the 2010 harvest. Despite the total decrease, seven districts expect a bigger crop than in 2010. Decreases since the January estimate may be ascribed to the following causes:
- Flood damage and rain that have occurred in the Orange River region since December 2010. Grapes in many other blocks have started to rot and outbreaks of fungal disease prevail. Estimates are that at least 36 000 tons of grapes from the initial anticipated wine grape harvest were destroyed by floods and showers .
- Bunch and berry sizes are smaller than previous years and bunches are generally quite loose. This may be ascribed to weak set and millerandage.
- Limited irrigation water due to low water levels – except in the Orange and Olifants River districts – impacted on the size of the crop, while heatwaves caused sunburn and heat damage. In dryland vineyards the soil water status is below average and vines are showing signs of moisture stress.
- Disease pressure and rot have caused crop losses.
Perdeberg Winery experienced the 2011 harvest slightly different and our Cellar Master, Albertus Louw, explains:
“The 2010 growth season was recognized by a lower than normal rainfall. This led to our vineyards being very healthy with very few fungal diseases. The dry climate also caused the berries to be much smaller which is very positive for us in terms of grape quality. The harvest is therefore approximately 5% less than in 2010. Chenin Blanc is roughly 15% less and the rest of the cultivars are more or less the same as in 2010.
The harvest was approximately 1x week later than in 2010 due to the dry climate and limited moisture. Most of the white grapes were harvested before the red and this relieved intense cellar activity, allowing more quality planning and selection. Our Chenin Blanc is looking very promising due to the ideal growth season + harvest conditions we experienced and huge excitement exist about the end product. The Shiraz is also performing very well at this stage.”
Of our 2076.7 ha, 1620.93 ha (78%) are un-irrigated and 1085.01 (52%) un-trellised, making majority of our plantings, dry-land bush vines. Chenin Blanc is our signature grape and also the most planted variety which is about 30% of our plantings. Of these, 52% (332 ha) are older than 15 years, mostly un-irrigated bush vines with yields below 5.6 t/ha and thus explaining the high quality of fruit. We can proudly say that we make the benchmark un-wooded Chenin Blanc in South Africa. In the words of Cape Wine Master, Christine Rudman: “ Perdeberg Winery is the icon of Chenin Blanc producers in South Africa.” (Local newspaper, Die Burger, dated 20 November 2010).
So watch out AND look out for our Chenin Blanc’s of 2011, as they surely are going to turn quite a few heads and you definitely need to always have more than one chilled in your fridge!
Newsmaker of the year
The National Press Club awarded its Newsmakers of the Year for 2010 – Sepp Blatter and Danny Jordaan for successfully hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup - at the South African Reserve Bank Conference Centre in Pretoria on Monday, 14 March 2011. This function was attended by the cream of Gauteng’s media, business, political and public relations fraternity. About 460 guests attended. Founded as the Pretoria Press Club around 1975, the club’s membership profile represents role players in the entire spectrum of the communications field of expertise – journalists, news photographers and communication practitioners from our country’s diverse population groups – also from beyond Tshwane’s geographic borders. This compares favourably with other national press clubs in, for instance, Washington, Nieu Delhi and Canberra. Amongst the attendees were Danny Jordaan, South Africa's 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee Chief Executive & Jerome Valcke, FIFA General Secretary who accepted nothing less than the best South African wine producer who’s…The Trusted Brand With More Quality At Any Price – PERDEBERG WINERY! We were the exclusive wine sponsor for the event.
Natural Sweet coming...
The Perdeberg Weisser Riesling Reserve has been nurtured to perfection in the most sacred part of the cellar, in anticipation of Perdeberg’s 70th year celebration later this year. The Weisser Riesling reveals a pale yellow colour, while intense honeycomb, apricot and lime flavours dominate the nose. The palate is well balanced with a fresh acidity and a sweet finish.
Comment from CEO, Gerhard van der Watt: “Part of Perdeberg’s long term strategy is to meticulously complete the family in its premium range, by adding wines of interest, like the recent Brut Reserve MCC and now the Weisser Riesling Reserve. Both are of very small productions and therefore exclusively available through our Cellar Door. We pride ourselves in selecting the very best grapes from our 4 microclimates, then handcrafting these wines, same as our Flagship range, Rex Equus, and therefore producing wines of excellence and difference.” Expected release date, early April 2011. Expected Cellar Door price: R80/bottle.
Perdeberg Winery Clinches International Deal
Perdeberg Winery has signed a contract with REH Kendermann – a reputable wine company in Germany – to produce a new global wine brand, WAKA WAKA Wines, soon to be sold in the German and International Market.
Perdeberg Winery was looking for a German partner about two years ago and met up with REH Kendermann at the same time REH Kendermann was looking to expand in South Africa. Gerhard van der Watt, CEO of Perdeberg Winery said that they feel honored to know that out of the many award winning wine producers in South Africa, Perdeberg Winery was chosen to produce WAKA WAKA Wines.
Marketing Director of REH Kendermann, Alexander Rittlinger, explains; “After an extensive screening process, we decided to choose Perdeberg Winery in Paarl. Here we have found a partner who has totally convinced us on impeccable quality. Perdeberg, for instance, produces the Chenin Blanc which has won the most awards in South Africa and has positioned themselves as the home of Chenin Blanc. Perdeberg consistently delivers exceptional quality, which proofs their slogan – “The trusted brand with more quality at any price” ”.
The WAKA WAKA range currently comprises three different wines: a Sauvignon Blanc/Chenin Blanc, a Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon and a Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend. They will be available in Germany and abroad from May 2011.
