New Year 2010

It has been a while, but CHristmas and New Year took up so much of my time and energy. Time seems to rush faster in the last quarter of the year than in the rest of it. In the organic vineyards we have been hard hit by Downy mildew (a fungal desease), wheras the conventionallyt farmed blocks are less effected. The grapes are growing, the weather has been cooler than last year and somewhat unpredictable with massive winds and cold spells.
Meanwhile the clock is ticking for the Soccer World Cup. Our first bookings are coming in but not in the amount predicted.
We can proudly present our first 10year old brandy. Unmistakenly flavours of hazelnut and very smooth. 100% pure potstill brandy, unaltered, no additives just water. Our range covers now a 3,5 and 10 year old distinguishable by their colour green for 3 year, black for 5 year and blue for ten year). I had planned the entire packaging in detail like labels (top, front, back, tunnel, tunnel top)to match in colour with the collar ribbon and tunnel colour. But in the Cape before Christmas the entire province goes into hibernation. Even on official days open no work is done, calls are not returned and urgency is spelled S-L-O-W. Needless to say that we did not receive the ribbons nor the tunnels in time for the Christmas trade. Well, all should come up to speed before end of the month ... I hope.
Sydney also made our first natural sweet wine which we call "Dolce" (Italian for sweet or desert).