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First harvest in Newlands area in 150 years at Vineyard Hotel & Spa

Monday, 18 February, 2013
Vineyard Hotel & Spa
The first harvest of the Vineyard Hotel & Spa’s private vineyard took place today; marking the first time that wine grapes have been harvested in the Newlands area in more than 150 years.
In keeping with the hotel’s proud history and association with the South African wine industry, the approximately 120 kilograms of grapes harvested at sunrise this morning will be used to produce a limited run of the hotel’s very own label.

Wine was first produced in the mid 1650’sin the outlying areas of Cape Town by wealthy burghers, British officials and businessmen, who owned vines on the mountain slopes. 400 Years later in February of 2009, five renowned wine producers were invited by the Vineyard Hotel to become involved in reigniting the history of wine in the Newlands area, by establishing a private vineyard in the gardens of the hotel. Three rows of Sauvignon Blanc and two of Semillon were then planted alongside the Liesbeek River.

“We are very pleased with our virgin crop of grapes harvested today,” says General Manager, Roy Davies. “The winemaking process should be complete by the middle of this year, and will be carried out by one of our esteemed five wine partners, namely Klein Constantia, Simonsig, Warwick, Meerlust and Waterford Estates.”

The Vineyard Hotel is inviting members of the public to participate in an online competition to guess which one of their wine partners will be bottling their first harvest. Entries can be submitted online at www.vineyard.co.za by 1 March. The prize includes a wine pairing dinner for two at the hotel’s first ‘Tastes of 2013’ wine event on 26 April, a one night stay over on the night and the ‘best breakfast in town’ the following morning.

For more information about the Vineyard Hotel & Spa, please visit www.vineyard.co.za or call 021 657 4500.

WineLand
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Mrs Kitty Petousis, Vineyard Hotel & Spa Owner proudly harvesting in the hotel’s private vineyard
Mrs Kitty Petousis, Vineyard Hotel & Spa Owner proudly harvesting in the hotel’s private vineyard

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