6 July 2004

With its hot, dry summers and unirrigated vineyards, Cloof is an extreme place to make wine. Even though yields are dramatically reduced, we see this as a positive factor, leading to increased concentration in our wines.

Of course, the soil’s moisture reserves have to be replenished occasionally, and for us this happens in winter. Thanks to good rains in June the wheat fields around Cloof are fabulously green. The accompanying cold (but not freezing) conditions have pushed the vines into hibernation, so that pruning can take place. This was a problem in 2003, as the warm conditions during winter conned the vines into producing fresh growth.

The usually dusty 5km gravel road leading to the estate is now rather muddy, and tractors run the risk of getting stuck on some parts of the farm.

Clear, brilliantly blue skies may not look like winter. What few people realise about the Western Cape is that rainy conditions don’t last for more than a few days at a time. Between cold fronts we have glorious days – winter is the Cape’s best-kept secret!