Early Autumn at Vondeling

Greetings Vondelingers,

Harvest is still going well and things have slowed down due to some amazing cool weather, enabling us to leave our late red varieties to hang on the vine longer and ripen more slowly. We are picking merlot and shiraz this week. Then next week Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Mourvedre and Carignan.

Below on the right is Joe letting some free run go, before pressing a tank of Bowwood Pinotage and transferring it to barrel, with Johnny and big brother Matt in the background this morning.

The farm is a hive of activities during harvest, and our team is in high spirits this exciting time of the year. Below some of our valuable employees are sorting berries for our Bordeaux-style blend, the Philosophie.

Winemaker Emile has been very busy in our other cellar. Yesterday he was being assisted mixing some yeast by his daughter Anna who turns 3 next month. Anna is about to be joined by a brother and a sister due on the 26th March. Below are proud parents in the chapel at Vondeling where they were married 5 years ago. Hilani now runs the Vondeling wine club and works in our Tasting Room.

Max Ward (my partner Anthony’s son) was interviewed by Paarl Post last week about the new farm Vrymansfontein in Agter-Paarl, where we are planning to plant almonds.

Weddings are making a comeback after lockdown and we had a ceremony here last weekend. Visit our website to view some of our wedding albums. Winter weddings are also becoming increasingly popular and the farm looks magical during the colder season. Plus, our wedding venue boasts a large fireplace to keep guests warm and cosy. Contact Zeldi at [email protected] to arrange a viewing.