Everybody is preparing for a much-needed break after another busy year, but for those in the wine industry the frenetic pace of harvest-time is around the corner and De Wetshof's focus is now on the harvest of 2024.
The cold winter did not bring as much rain as the rest of the Cape Winelands experienced, but from the onset of the growing season in August, the weather was relatively cool allowing for mild, temperate conditions.
What a wine farmer wants to see most at this time of the year is evenness and balance in the vines as they head towards the finish-line holding ripe, full grape bunches ready for harvest. And with the mild conditions all stages of flowering, berry-set and bunch-formation has been beautifully even. The berries are looking even in size, currently in the stage of veraison.
The year 2023 saw the De Wetshof marketing team, as every year, heading-out into the world to promote and sell our wines in an ever-changing wine market. Bennie Stipp, marketing director, undertook one of the year’s final long-haul trips, heading east to Japan and South Korea where De Wetshof is experiencing noticeable interest in our wine offering.
This visit to the Far East is always of great interest as the markets there differ to the more familiar wonts of Europe and America. Bennie was encouraged by his experiences in Japan and South Korea. In Japan the demand for premium wines is ever-increasing, and the knowledge and awareness of South African wines underscores De Wetshof's belief of this market holding tremendous potential for our Chardonnays. The awareness of South Africa as a country definitely increased after the Rugby World Cup was held in Japan in 2019, and added to this is the fact that Japan is one of the few Eastern nations with a love of white wines.
Especially Chardonnay! A few years back De Wetshof Limestone Hill was adjudged by Japanese sommeliers as the best wine to accompany oysters... so we already have a formidable track- record. And with 30m wine drinkers in Japan, it is not a market to be scoffed at.
Bennie said he especially appreciates the respect Japanese show towards those approaching them for business, and in turn they also expect respect shown to them – solid values that we at De Wetshof have always held dear.
The Japanese love their wine, and Chardonnay with sushi is an institution. Although some wine-drinking practices have to be noted. For example, each drink starts with a "kanpai" toast at the table, another way of showing respect among all gathered for the occasion, and when visiting Japan be prepared for a generous amount of "kanpai-ing" - it's one word worth getting the accent right for!
De Wetshof, too, experienced its share of important visitors in the final throes of 2023, including some Burgundian royalty. Joséphine Prieur from the famous Domaine Jacques Prieur drove out to Robertson, joined by Marie-Antoinette De Szcyzpiorski who is one of France's major wine commentators, also based in Burgundy.
Having Burgundian visitors to De Wetshof is always a joy as they truly understand and relate to our ethos of terroir-specificity in the final expression of Chardonnay. The Prieurs own a patch of Montrachet, the world’s most famous white wine vineyard, so they really do know what that they are talking about!
Joséphine and Marie-Antoinette thus leapt at the chance to join Johann in driving around De Wetshof's vineyards on Bon Vallon and De Wetshof itself. The ladies truly immersed themselves, feeling the different limestone soils, exploring the vineyard canopies and bombarding Johann with questions on soils, cover-crops, pruning techniques and vineyard growth cycles. These are kindred spirits, indeed.
The farm visit was followed by a tasting of our Cap Classique and six still Chardonnays, with our guests understanding and appreciating the various nuances which they could relate back to the terroir they were shown.
Having said that about the wines, one of the stars of the show was to be found at the traditional braai the De Wetshof team held for our visitors. The cultured French palates could not get enough of another De Wetshof speciality, namely the home-made venison sausage cooked over roaring coals. Tres magnifique, was the unanimous opinion.
The year-ended with a gathering of members of the South African Chardonnay Forum on De Wetshof, a collective of like-minded Cape Chardonnay producers aimed at promoting the astounding quality of the country’s Chardonnay offering. At this event Johann announced that, after six years as chairman, he is laying down his position and handing the responsibility to Sjaak Nelson of Jordan Wines. As one of the founding members of this Forum, De Wetshof looks forward to playing an active role in supporting Sjaak in continuing establishing South Africa as one of the world’s great exponents of this noble white Burgundian grape.
The Robertson Wine Valley is a hive of activity during the tourist season and tourists from all over the world and South Africa are descending on our winelands for wine tastings and simply to take in the beauty of nature and the rural atmosphere. You are most welcome to visit us during this time and we look forward to showing you our wines as well as giving you a taste of De Wetshof hospitality.