Julian Johnsen (Vondeling) Simon Leschallas, Rupert St. Aubyn, Claire Williams, Mark Levison Gower, James Thorne (Cambridge Wines) and Bridget Johnsen (Vondeling)
The end of June and July have been busy times for us involved in Vondeling. On June 22nd in Mayfair, London, we launched our first vintage of Philosophie (2014) which is our attempt at producing an ultra premium Bordeaux blend from our vineyards. Each bottle is numbered and 1650 were produced. Each year, we commission a different artist to create a unique label, making the Philosophie a highly collectable wine. For more details from Matthew, our winemaker, click here. The 2014 is also available in specially packaged magnum bottles.
We also showed the The Rurale 2014, Chardonnay 2015, Babiana 2015 and Erica 2013. The evening was a tremendous success and guests dug into their pockets with reckless abandon, which was highly appreciated, but also a reflection of the quality and good value of our wines.
 |
Damage to the church steeple!
Just before we left for England, we had a huge storm which wrought havoc all over the winelands and Cape Town. Our church steeple took a bit of a battering, so we have re enforced it with copper to withstand the Cape Storms in the future and the result is spectacular. |
New Releases
It has also been a busy month of bottling, with the launch of the Rose 2017 and Babiana 2016, the Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 and Sweet Carolyn 2016. Our winemakers Matthew and Emile are excited about the wines.
The Babiana will be ready in a few weeks, but the 2017 Rosé is available. To order directly, click here. |
 |
As I look out the window it is cold and wet….but we need much more. Our average rainfall for the first 6 months of the year is 305mm. In 2017 we have recorded 143mm for the same period. Not good. But everything is now green and when the sun comes out it is truly beautiful and pruning is in full flow and snow sits on the peaks around us. Could be worse me thinks!
Keep warm and enjoy our wines
Until next time
Julian
