More new stuff

It is not quite justifiable for a small cellar like mine to invest in new hardware like a forklift. But this one was more than overdue as the old Toyota wasn't pulling its weight anymore (literally as the small hill in front of the winery became more and more a challenge. But decision making reason was the fact that I could not drive the Toyota myself due to my stiff leg. The new Linde 1,6 ton has an incredible long mast of over 5 meters high and is much smaller and more versatile than the heavy 2,5 ton Toyota and the best of it I can drive it myself. I will be very careful with it as my very good friend Siggi from Germany battled for years with a severe injury caused by a runaway forklift which drove over his ankle. I promise to have safety the first consideration. With the new edition to the cellar I hope productivity and efficiency will increase.

On a private note: I can't wait to hit the road to Africa again. I haven't had a safari for a long time and just learning that my neighbour is going a month long northwards by motorcycle had me green with envy. Motivated by this I am going to get the Landi ready for safari as soon as possible.

Paperwork

Finally Marc and I signed a production partnership agreement for the next three harvests effectively opening a strong representation in Holland for Oude Wellington wines. Mark will co-produce Oude Wellington's wines and market them in Holland. Meanwhile we concentrate on the South African market. Hopefully this will allow us to grow with a secure marketing strategy in Europe in both exclusivity and related quality. The signing followed a many months long negotiation over two continents and many changes and ideas and sureties needed to be addressed, But finally it was sealed and signed and we are all happy with the prospect of the future partnership.

Filter arived

Here it is the new bulk filter imported from Germany. Sydney was delighted and immediately "hugged" the new addition to the cellar as it was the one equipment he most wanted to have in the cellar. Well, what does it do? It filters that's the plain answer, but there are many ways to filter wine with candle-,sheet-,bulk-, cross flow- etc.-filters, with each of them having a specific use and benefit and downsides. We are all looking forward seeing the new "toy" working as it has an awful lot of of leavers and buttons to operate. I had ordered the machine over the Internet from a dealer in Germany and to our hope and surprise the machine arrived in most excellent condition almost new. We all were holding our breath when the machine arrived if it was what was promised as there is hardly a money back guarantee over two continents and the hefty shipping and import duty.