Soil
We are blessed with diversity. In the Southern Robertson valley, Bonnievale, we have diversity in Soil. Down At the river we have sandy soils, in between deeper soils and up against the slopes or Hills my vines are planted in rocks. These rocks must be irrigated to enable me to grow vines in these extreme soil conditions. Due to the extreme rocky environment, the H2O is easily managed. The source of our H2O originates from the Du Toits Kloof mountain range and Ceres mountain range. This will all be dammed into the Brandvlei Dam that is channeled down to our Valley. We Dam it out and use this fresh H20 for our Micro irrigation system. So often we want to rave about climate, but it all starts with the Soil.
“Soil is the heart of the vine”.
Climate
My vines are planted East to West, +/- 50 meters above the Breede River, 25 km from Robertson, close to Bonnivale and 50 minutes drive from the most Southern Point of Africa, Augulas. The Sauvignon Blanc (0.5Ha) and Chardonnay (3 Ha) Blocks are located on the morning slope side. The Shiraz (3 Ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (3 Ha) and Viognier (1000 routes of vines) are located more towards the afternoon sun side.
Location
Due to our location we receive morning fog during the winter season which is gently burned away by the late morning sun. During summer we have an everyday South-Easterly wind that blows from the ocean to cool down the vines. In the vineyard I am able to use irrigation for 2 hours every second day during crucial times. Because of this I can bring down the micro climate between 12pm and 2pm during hot summer days, before the South-Eastery starts to do its job. The night temperatures tend to cool down extremely well. All in all we have a great climate for growing a diversity of cultivars in this area.
"It is important to keep every different clone and grapes from different slopes separate during harvest, as well as in the cellar. It provides more components for the winemaker to experiment with and the opportunity to make a wine with complex flavours."
If I have to claim one cultivar which is meant to be planted in our valley it must be Chardonnay. This grape variety is well suited for our Limestone soils. This specific block faces morning sun and receives our everyday South-Easterly breeze during summer.
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This is a grape varietal that needs a vigorous canopy, cool climate, do not like to be stressed, good structured soil and special care through out the wine making process.
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Only 1000 roots have been planted next to my last row, in my single vineyard Shiraz block. The only varietal that is not classified as single vineyard on my portfolio. The idea behind these vines is to create a special Natural Sweet wine that can be savoured and best complimented with cheese, to end off the perfect evening.
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When I think Shiraz, I think Spicy, Pepper, strawberries, grapefruit and structure. My Shiraz is not dry-fermented on the skins to create a better palatable wine. I make use of a basket-press to press the skins. The press juice will be moved into a tank were it undergoes the last stage of fermentation.
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I started making the Arendsig Single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon two years ago. It has been a great success. Both vintages were sold out at bottling.
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