In the vineyard: This dry farmed vineyard was planted in 1995, using Shiraz clone SH9A, grafted onto rootstock R110. The deep Glenrosa soil type, retains soil moisture well, and ripens the crop early without stressing, during our long hot summers. Planted in a North – Westerly facing rocky outcrop, the vines are pruned to a “bosstok” or bush vine. Depending on the growth, the vine is pruned to between 3 and 5 bearers per vine. Summer canopy management including a topping, which will reduce wind damage and green cropping at 80% veraison to ensure even ripening. The vineyard is regularly visited during the ripening period and tested by tasting, visual and analytical examination to determine exact picking date. Read more »
In the vineyard: This dry farmed vineyard was planted in 1995, using Shiraz clone SH9A, grafted onto rootstock R110. The deep Glenrosa soil type, retains soil moisture well, and ripens the crop early without stressing, during our long hot summers. Planted in a North – Westerly facing rocky outcrop, the vines are pruned to a “bosstok” or bush vine. Depending on the growth, the vine is pruned to between 3 and 5 bearers per vine. Summer canopy management including a topping, which will reduce wind damage and green cropping at 80% veraison to ensure even ripening. The vineyard is regularly visited during the ripening period and tested by tasting, visual and analytical examination to determine exact picking date. Read more »
Harvest date: 11 February 2003 In the vineyard: This dry farmed vineyard was planted in 1995, using Shiraz clone SH9A, grafted onto rootstock R110. The deep Glenrosa soil type, retains soil moisture well, and ripens the crop early without stressing, during our long hot summers. Planted in a North – Westerly facing rocky outcrop, the vines are pruned to a “bosstok” or bush vine. Depending on the growth, the vine is pruned to between 3 and 5 bearers per vine. Summer canopy management including a topping, which will reduce wind damage and green cropping at 80% veraison to ensure even ripening. The vineyard is regularly visited during the ripening period and tested by tasting, visual and analytical examination to determine exact picking date. Read more »
Harvest Date: February 2002 Oenological Treatment: The grapes were harvested full ripe 26.6 degrees balling on the 14th February 2002. Destalked and lightly crushed into stainless steel fermenters. After initial natural fermentation, we inoculated with selected Rhone yeasts to ensure a complete fermentation. After a week of post fermentation maceration, we press and transfer to barrels for malolactic fermentation, where the wine is left to age for 16 months. Periodic racking ensures the clarity and stability of the wine and therefore no filtration is needed prior to bottling. Read more »
Harvest Date: Mid February 2002 In the vineyard:
Planted in 1996, 2 clones of SH1 and SH21, were grafted on R99 rootstock. The soil type, Swartland, is a deep uniform decomposed shale with excellent water retention and allows these unirrigated vines to easily ripen the crop without stressing, during our usually hot, dry summers. The extended Perold trellis system, planted in a South West – North East row direction on a westerly facing slope is well positioned to ensure maximal cooling from prevailing summer winds. Sufficient aeration also drastically reduce possible vineyard diseases. Straw is packed in every second row, to form a deep mulch. This helps to retain moisture and keep weeds at bay. The mulch also improves soil microbe activity and root development. Strict winter pruning (8 – 10 two-eye bearer per running meter), and summer canopy management (2 shoots per bearer and 3 tip actions) ensure a well balanced crop, that reaches good phenolic ripeness. A final crop thinning at 80% verasion also ensure a even ripeness. The vineyard is regularly visited during the ripening period and tested by taste, visual and analytical examination to determine exact picking date.
Harvest Date: Mid February 2003 In the vineyard:
Planted in 1996, two clones of SH1 and SH21, were grafted on R99 rootstock. The soil type, Swartland, is a deep uniform decomposed shale with excellent water retention and allows these unirrigated vines to easily ripen the crop without stressing, during our usually hot, dry summers. The extended Perold trellis system, planted in a South West – North East row direction on a westerly facing slope is well positioned to ensure maximal cooling from prevailing summer winds. Sufficient aeration also drastically reduces possible vineyard diseases. Straw is packed in every second row, to form a deep mulch. This helps to retain moisture and keep weeds at bay. The mulch also improves soil microbe activity and root development. Strict winter pruning (8 – 10 two-eye bearer per running meter), and summer canopy management (2 shoots per bearer and 3 tip actions) ensure a well balanced crop, that reaches good phenolic ripeness. A final crop thinning at 80% vêraison also ensure an even ripeness. The vineyard is regularly visited during the ripening period and tested by taste, visual and analytical examination to determine exact picking date.
The first vintage of the Cyril Back is a barrel selection Shiraz from two vineyard sites in Paarl and Stellenbosch. The Stellenbosch fruit was from a south facing vineyard on the slopes of the Simonsberg mountains, at 350-400m above sea level. These soils are a combination of Hutton, Oakleaf and Tukulu soils derived from granite parent rock. This 8 year old vineyard is trellised, and receives minimal irrigation as the soils have good water retention. Read more »
We have recently marked the first anniversary of our Fairview afterschool club.
The Fairview afterschool club caters for children living on the Fairview farm ranging from 6 to 16 years old. The club is split into Junior and Senior activities and takes place five days a week. It offers an educational homework programme for up to 35 children each day, that assists them with their academic school work in a safe and supervised environment. In addition to this, there are also other activities including a drama club, sport and games sessions, art classes, a small library, life skills development and regular outings.
Fairview has partnered with the Pebbles Project to provide a sustainable educational program which enriches the lives of these children. We employ three primary afterschool teachers who have been trained and are supervised by the Pebbles Project. Tania Malgas from Paarl, works with the seniors, while Sylva Adams and Carlin Goosen from the Fairview community work with the pre-pimary and juniors respectively.
A special needs teacher, Marilee, is provided and funded by the Pebbles Project. She visits the centre every Thursday to work with kids and to supervise the work our teachers are doing throughout the week.
The afterschool club is housed in renovated cottages near the farm workers’ residential area. It is situated in close proximity to Bergendal School, which most of the children attend. The children each receive a healthy snack before activities begin and parents can rest assured that their children are safe and sound whilst they are busy with their working day.
For more information on the Pebbles project please visit www.pebblesproject.co.za
The 15th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World in Florida will take place from 1 October to 14 November this year. This will be the ninth year that Fairview will be participating in the festival, which transforms the Epcot theme park into a food and wine lovers’ paradise. It will also be the third year that Fairview will be sponsoring the South African food and wine kiosk at the World Showcase and the fourth year that Robin Back of Fairview will be teaching the South African Wine School.
If you are in the Orlando area during this period, a visit to Epcot is a must. Throughout the Festival you will be able to purchase Fairview’s new La Capra wines by the glass at the Cape Town kiosk or by the bottle at the wine shop at the Festival Center. Robin Back of Fairview will be hosting the following events at the Festival Center, so stop by to say hello:
· Monday, 4 October @ 2:00pm – La Capra wine seminar
· Monday, 4 October @ 3:00pm – Bottle signing
· Tuesday, 5 October @ 2:00pm – Fairview wine seminar
· Tuesday, 5 October @ 4:00pm – Goats do Roam wine seminar
· Tuesday, 5 October @ 5:00pm – Bottle Signing
· Wednesday, 6 October @ 12:00pm – La Capra wine seminar
· Wednesday, 6 October @ 1:00pm – Bottle signing
· Wednesday, 6 October @ 4:00pm – Fairview wine seminar
· Thursday, 7 October @ 12:00pm – Goats do Roam wine seminar
· Thursday, 7 October @ 4:00pm – Bottle Signing
· Thursday, 7 October @ 6:00pm – La Capra wine seminar
· Saturday, 9 October @ 1:00pm – South African Wine School
Robin will also be pairing wines at the following culinary demonstrations at the Festival Center:
· Monday, 4 October @ 1:00pm – Goats do Roam White
· Monday, 4 October @ 5:00pm – La Capra Sauvignon Blanc
· Tuesday, 5 October @ 3:00pm – Fairview Pinotage
· Wednesday, 6 October @ 3:00pm – Goats do Roam White
· Wednesday, 6 October @ 5:00pm – La Capra Pinotage
· Thursday, 7 October @ 1:00pm – Fairview Viognier
If you’ve never experienced one of Disney’s weekly “Party for the Senses” during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, they are sensational. Food stations showcasing the creations from eminent chefs from around the USA paired with fine wines from around the world combined with the sights and sounds of Cirque du Soleil. Fairview will be there on 2 October and pouring Viognier, Shiraz and Pinotage. Our sister cellar, The Spice Route Winery will be there on 9 October and pouring Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and Chakalaka.
Separate from the Epcot Food & Wine Festival but still at Walt Disney World, Fairview, La Capra and Goats do Roam wines will be featured at the Mombasa Market Place in the Animal Kingdom Theme Park on Sunday, 10 October. The wines will be available for both tasting and purchasing and Robin Back will be there from 11:00am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-3:30pm to talk about the wines and sign bottles.
Please note that for the Disney events, theme park admission is required in addition to tickets for the actual events. Advance ticket purchase is advised to avoid disappointment.
