The annual VinPro Winetech Vineyard Practice Evaluation covers all the main wine-grape growing areas and is judged by a panel of viticultural experts and soil scientists in the industry, taking the wine goal into account. The competition evaluates vineyard practices on a wide variety of criteria such as: soil type and soil preparation; vine root development; choice of rootstock, clone and vineyard site; trellising methods; fertilising and pruning practices; vine shoot development; canopy management; cropping level; soil maintenance; irrigation management; weed control; spray programme and pest control. The Competition aims to give recognition to producers’ best practices, sharing optimum vineyard practices with the industry and creating networking opportunities.
Farm Manager and viticulturist of Twee Jonge Gezellen Estate, Juan van der Riet commented: “Winning this prestigious award is a huge tribute to my team. It isn’t just the land that makes a wine good, but also the people who work on it. I’m proud to say it’s an all-women team. Team leader Elizabeth Philander is passionate about her team and the vineyard.
The winning Pinot Noir vineyard block is blended with chardonnay and its neighbouring pinot noir blocks to make our MCC base wine for Krone Borealis. The vines are naturally high in tartaric acid and they have a good pH balance, making them perfect for base wine. Our carefully nurtured vineyards are situated on the foot of Saronsberg Mountain and have a distinctive rocky soil and a unique terroir. Added to this, the abundancy of free wildlife corridors as well as the natural boundaries, work to create a vineyard in harmony with nature.”
TWEE JONGE GEZELLEN
The historic Twee Jonge Gezellen farm in Tulbagh is the home of Krone, a collection of notable, vintage-only South African Méthode Cap Classiques made from grapes grown and night-harvested in this distinctive terroir.
A treasured national monument, the historic farm recently re-opened after lengthy restoration and renovations. Visitors can journey through a series of extraordinary spaces that are filled with contemporary art, sculpture and collectible design, before moving on to sample Krone’s vintage Cap Classiques. Tastings are complimentary and the setting is extraordinary. The raised terrace offers singular views of the picturesque valley and the Winterhoek, Witzenberg and Obiqua Mountains, while the Tasting Room boasts a dramatic picture window that unveils the workings of the cellar. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the historic cellar, the first underground cellar in Africa, and witness the magic of Cap Classique forming in the bottle.
The Tasting Room opening hours: Monday - Friday | 10am - 4pm · Saturdays | 10am - 2pm
Cellar Tours: Monday - Saturday | 10am - 4pm
For more information: Visit www.tweejongegezellen.co.za