Groote Post viticulturist Jannie de Clerk in the winning Sauvignon Blanc vineyard. |
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| Groote Post wins Vinpro Vineyard Award with record score |
| 13 July 2012 by Groote Post Vineyards |
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| Confirmation of the intrinsic quality of Groote Post's wines was again clearly illustrated when one of its Sauvignon blanc blocks received a record winning score of 100.5%, due to bonus points for specific criteria, at the 2012 VinPro Winetech Vineyard Block Competition for the Swartland area, which comprises 10% of South Africa's national vineyard.
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The award was handed to Groote Post viticulturist, Jannie de Clerk, by VinPro soil scientist, Braham Oberholzer, at an awards ceremony at Groote Post, where the highly-acclaimed sauvignon blanc block was referred to as "a textbook example" of a winning vineyard.
Groote Post’s 2.57-hectare award-winning sauvignon blanc block was planted in 2005 on the upper, south-and sea-facing slopes of the cool-climate Darling Hills, home to Groote Post’s 108.3 hectares of vineyards. Groote Post vineyard blocks have won this VinPro competition three times previously: in 2000 with a sauvignon blanc block and in 2001 and 2007 with merlot blocks. None of the winning blocks have been the same because winning blocks may not be entered a second time.
Groote Post co-owner, Nick Pentz, was elated with the award, "We have always made a great effort in producing the highest quality grapes as we believe that this is a crucial ingredient in making premium-quality wines. Our viticulturist, Jannie de Clerk, must be especially commended on winning this award with a record score; a tremendous achievement which reflects his passionate commitment and diligence."
The annual VinPro Winetech Vineyard Practice Evaluation covers all the main wine-grape growing areas and is judged by a panel of viticultural experts in the industry. 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 Groote Post vineyards are situated in deep water-retaining clay soils in the Darling Hills. These sea-facing vineyards are kept cool in the warm summer months by the prevailing south-easterly winds, which blow over the icy Atlantic Ocean, a mere 5 kilometres away. This enables a long growing season, crucial in full ripening of the grapes.
Groote Post, the beautiful, historic Cape West Coast farm owned by the Pentz family, with a rustic, rural atmosphere, undulating hills and vast open spaces, is only an hours drive from Cape Town. In addition to a a wide range of award-winning wines, a superb culinary offering at Hilda’s Kitchen and Farm Drives through the 2 000-hectare Game Camp, Groote Post also offers a jungle gym and rolling lawns where children can play, spectacular views of the Atlantic coast and Table Mountain, nature walks and bird-watching. Being part of the famous West Coast spring flower route and a member of the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative, Groote Post also holds much appeal for environmentalists.
Groote Post Vineyards
Tel: 022 492 2825
Email: wine@grootepost.co.za
Web: www.grootepost.co.za
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