Thursday, 23 September, 2004
Rustenberg
Hello again friends,
Rustenberg enjoyed a super harvest this year as the weather leading up to it was good. Although harvest started earlier than in previous years, it also finished earlier with good ripeness levels for all varietals and the 2004 wines are looking promising and showing lots of character.
New accolades are starting to come in now with the most exciting one being the Chardonnay Trophy for The 2001 Rustenberg Five Soldiers at the International Wine & Spirit Competition held in London this year. See list below for more accolades acquired recently.
As of this year, the whole Brampton range, the 2004 whites and 2003 reds, will be splendidly dressed in screw-capped bottles. Our trials with last year's white wines have been tremendous.
Read about our "Women on Farms Project". It is progressing superbly and we're thrilled to be involved with the project.
I hope to give you a brief update just before the year is out.
Thanks for your fantastic support!
Simon Barlow
ACCOLADES
2003 Brampton Shiraz/Viognier - South African Airways (SAA) Business Class Wine Listing for 2005.
2002 Brampton Shiraz/Viognier - Rated BEST Shiraz by Caledon Wine Club out of 98 Shiraz wines tasted. Received TROPHY for BEST SA Rhône blend under £10 at Decanter Wine Awards held in UK.
2001 Rustenberg John X Merriman - 4 Stars in SA WINE Magazine (September 2004)
2001 Rustenberg Five Soldiers - Received Chardonnay TROPHY from the 2004 International Wine & Spirits Competition held in UK.
2002 Rustenberg Peter Barlow - Received GOLD at the 2004 Fairbairn Capital Trophy Wine Show held in SA.
"Thanks so much for your instant help with Monique. She has turned out to be a remarkable mother to young George"...... Lindsay of Solole Game Reserve.
Rustenberg sold Monique, (one of our Jersey cows) to Solole Game Reserve, Cape Town, to help mother young George (a Cape Buffalo) that was rejected by its own mother. Jersey cows make perfect surrogate moms.
Sisters are doing it for themselves
"Women on Farms Project" (WFP) is a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Stellenbosch which strives to empower and strengthen the capacity of women who live and/or work on farms. Rustenberg is currently employing 12 women in the vineyards trained by WFP and The Vineyard Academy.
While in our employ these women are constantly undergoing in-house training in various aspects of Viticulture. Once training has been successfully completed, these women will be accredited with a Certificate from The Vineyard Academy. This qualification and their hands-on experience will enable them to pursue a rewarding career in the wine industry.
Murray Barlow, Simon's younger 17-year old son, has a keen interest in the business of farming.
Pictured above, Murray familiarises himself with the Jersey herd after having spent time cleaning the calf pens.