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  De Wetshof Estate
Phone +27.236151853
Fax +27.236151915
eMail frontdesk@dewetshof.com
URL www.dewetshof.com
Address P.O. Box 31
Robertson
6705
South Africa

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 05 October 2012
The Golden Vine - October 2012
While September is in theory the first month of the Southern Hemisphere Spring, October is the month wherein the changes in season truly become noticeable. As the South African writer and poet Louis Leipoldt wrote. "October is that beautiful, beautiful month." Stirred from their slumber after a long, cold winter, the vines are now bursting with green leaves. The rows between the vines are resplendent with the yellow flowers of canola, a cover crop whose odour keeps the destructive nematodes from chomping down at the roots. The mornings and evenings are filled with birdsong, and the screech of the African fish eagle announces the warming of the water in the Breede River, sending fish to the surface. The vineyard of the Golden Vine was slow to bud in September but has now overtaken many of the other neighbouring blocks. Temperatures are still cool, and soils are damp from the winter rains. But when the temperatures begin to warm, flowering and berry set will be just around the corner.
16 July 2012
Climate & Soils
The Robertson Valley is characterised by cold winters and sunny summers, with an average annual rainfall of 350 - 400mm. In summer a fresh southerly breeze from the Agulhas coast has a cooling effect on the vineyards, allowing the grapes to ripen evenly and in perfect balance. Nights are chilly and during summer months a mist often shrouds the vineyards until late morning.
25 May 2012
The Golden Vine - De Wetshof Estate
The harvest is over and the fruit of the Golden Vines' labour is in the De Wetshof winery where it is being turned into The Site Chardonnay. Now, with the Autumn well underway, the vines are truly Golden as the leaves turn a yellow shade. This is the beginning of the all-important rest cycle. For since budding in Spring, the vines have been working hard. 24/7, as they say in marketing speak. Buds had to set, leaves had to bloom, grapes had to be produced to the winemaker's exacting degree of excellence. After all this, the vine can now rest. The succulence will draw deep into the main vine and the leaves will fall creating a life-affirming fertile mulch on the limestone soils. So yes, the Golden Vine deserves its rest. And the show of gold, turning into red are the last shows of goodbye before the vine falls into its well-deserved winter slumber. With cold and rain on the way, the roots will remain active in creating a living platform for the vine, one from which it will emerge with vigour and a lust for life.
18 April 2012
All hands on deck for wacky wine week-end!
With the Wacky Wine Week-end literally around the corner, De Wetshof has been doing some serious planning. Here's what visitors can look forward during this festival week-end of 7 to 10 June 2012.
30 January 2012
De Wetshof: Harvest 2012 Underway!
Harvest 2012 commenced in the third week of January on De Wetshof with the picking of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The annual hive of activity has added an air of excitement to the farm as grape-pickers make their way to the vineyards at sunrise, and by mid-morning the smell of pressed grapes wafts from the cellar. Cellarmaster Danie de Wet says he is impressed with the quality of the grapes. "The cool, long winter and mild spring allowed ripening to occur evenly and in balance, although a sharp heat-wave in the second week of January challenged some of the grapes. It is early days yet, but juice quality is healthy and we are looking forward to making good wines this year."
30 January 2012
Wine.co.za's Spotlight on De Wetshof winery in Robertson for - Feb 2012
Wine.co.za visited De Wetshof for the Bo Die Berg Spotlight campaign and with the De Wets being Chardannay specialists, it was no surprise to have Danie de Wet talking about their The Site Chardonnay
09 November 2011
Platter 2012 launch at Vineyard Hotel
The sunshine yellow Platter guide was launched on 8th Nov at the Vineyard Hotel, with Boekenhoutskloof being Winery of the year as well as winning the SuperQuaffer award for their Wolftrap White 2010. Cape Chamonix Reserve 2010 (Pinot Noir) won Red Wine of the year, and Badsberg Badslese 2009 (Natural Sweet) won White wine of the year.
20 September 2011
Meridian Trade Show - 19th September 2011
Meridian has outdone themselves at this year's trade show on the 19th of September. The venue at Vaudeville in had a burlesque theme, with sexy dancers and acrobats performing throughout the evening.
23 June 2011
The Golden Vine - De Wetshof Estate
Winter is for Pruning The Golden Vine, from which The Site Chardonnay is made, is looking bare and sparse. For it is the heart of winter. And this means pruning the vine shoots. Cutting away the tired grower shoots and last season's grape producing buds. Nipping away the shoots to leave the buds from where the plant will bud in spring greenness over a month or two, depending on the weather. Pruning is about removing tired growing arms depleted of energy. To ensure quality fruit in summer, the vines are pruned back to distribute the bearing wood evenly over the vine. In winter months - late June to July - the leaves have dropped and the vines are empty of sap. This is when each plant is pruned almost back to the main stem.
08 June 2011
Wacky Wine Weekend @ De Wetshof Estate
Pictures from De Wetshof Estate
09 July 2010
De Wetshof Estate
General photographs of De Wetshof Estate