The very dry conditions favour lower yields from the varieties we work with and produce concentrated fruit with a good tannin structure. The vineyards endure big diurnal temperature swings and strong winds throughout the year. In the summer these constant winds have a cooling effect on the vines which helps to ensure slow ripening of the grapes and in turn contributes to fresh and elegant wines. During winter, the mountain peaks are covered in snow, keeping the vines dormant for longer.
The best vineyard soils are notable for having a fine balance between water draining and water retaining properties. Vineyards seem to not produce great wines when the soils are too wet. Soils rich in shale and schist ensure free draining of water and the presence of a clay layer helps to keep the soil moist enough to nurture the wines throughout the summer.
Our vineyards grow within shale, schist and sandstone-based soils with an underlying clay layer. These are ancient soils and the different rock layers exist because of millions of years of metamorphoses & weathering of the clay, sand & rock particles. Our vineyards are also surrounded by Breede Shale Renosterveld vegetation and help create a natural biodiversity within and around our vineyards.
The vineyards are planted on a North Westerly aspect. This aspect ensures that the vineyards receive enough sun exposure to fully ripen its grapes. The altitudes of the vineyards range from 250 – 450 m above sea level. The higher altitudes ensure that vineyards endure slightly cooler growing conditions than vineyards located on lower lying areas.
