Oude Wellington Wine & Brandy Estate

W A T E R

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:23:00 +0000

I know it had been a while, but then what is the point of repeating bad news or wishing Merry Christmas when we are flooded with those automatic corporate Happy New Year wishes so automatically sincere like the "personalized" letters starting with: Dear Dr. O.Middlemost P.T.Y.

Well; here is the news: We finally struck water.It took 5 boreholes to find it and it is not a hell of a lot either but tell that a thirsty person in the dry desert. We were trucking water in and asking the guests to please take as little as possible.
I went through 4 diviners and all methods of divining from twigs to wire - falling bottle to magnetic profiling. What can I say the borehole finally producing the water so urgently needed was the combination of twigs and falling bottle. I appreciate all the efforts made by all concerned and especially the patience of Piet the driller who let us have his truck to bring water when we most needed it. Now we can all take a bath as soon as the pump is connected.

water

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:32:00 +0000

Second attempt to find water on Oude Wellington. The first borehole was dry, my present borehole is dry and that already in December. All water saving mechanism in place including showering very quickly only. Last option is to drink brandy instead of coffee.
What's new? Sydney, the wine maker left Oude Wellington for greener pastures. He did a good job and helped in very difficult times to keep the production afloat. Meanwhile we beautify the farm and grow more flowers. I keep you posted about our water problem. This morning 6 O'Clock I already drove an old Bedford tanker truck (still have muscle ache from turning the steering wheel) to truck 4500 Litre of water in from my friendly neighbour David Bell. At 2 I will do the next load. Hopefully I can do 3 loads a day to create a bit of a buffer for the next days to come. It is quite scary with that load on the steep uneven roads with gravel that slides and a brake that takes its time to slow down the vehicle.

Borehole

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:19:00 +0000

D-day like in Drilling-day. Today the drilling rig arrived to drill for urgently needed water. I can't afford it really, but it is the most crucial task to be tackled. We already have to save water to an extend that we schedule showers and turn off the restaurant water at times and even have the laundry done in town to save water.
So today is the day.

Balu a sad day

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Balu my faithful boerbul is no more. -- He like myself have a shared problem being a hip disarticulation which at times can be fine or painful. It was this shared history that made me prolonge his life beyond the moment that others would have have put him down. But as long as he was eating with pleasure I just could not put an end to his life. He is now burried next to Juliet his mother and will remain in mine and many others memory. Fairwell Balu - I hope you will find dog heaven

water

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:02:00 +0000

the single most worry on a farm is to run out of water. Well it happened on Wednesday. First we thought the electric surge had destroyed the pump's controlling electric board, then the mechanic declared the pump to be worn out and needed replacement. Fair enough it lasted 13 years in daily use. For all of you who don't know: the main electric 100 KVA transformer had melted down and a power surge of over 900Volt had destroyed 8 air-conditioners, 1 fridge, 1 microwave, 2 computers incl. UPS and some smaller items. So maybe it was a late damage ?? But no, the answer was: yes the pump was worn out but also the borehole dry. So we are drilling for new water this week and hoping the best, as you can sink a fortune into nothing. But the bad news did not end here. The tractor finally gave up all together and I had to replace it. So we are two weeks behind the vineyard work and are hoping the rest of the season to be less costly.

new attempt to blog again

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:31:00 +0000

testing the blog site. It was down and difficult to reactivate. But now I have mastered the problems and I will continue writing a blog. I do prefer it over facebook or twitter.
So what happened on Oude Wellington in the past few months? Well, I was in Germany visiting my family, in Thailand to retrace my work at the Cambodian border more than 20 years ago and visited China to sell some wine and brandy.

When I came home all desasters seamed to have waited for me: tractor finally broke down and is not repairable. Our borehole pump packed up and now the borehole is dry all together. The main water line on the farm is broken in two spots as the roots of trees have strangled the pipe line. With no tractor the spraying program is behind schedule and I hope no big harm has been done. The organic blocks look healthy and have started pushing leaves.

I promise to be more regular again now that I have found a way to publish the blog again. I found the attached picture on the net and have to share it with all of you.

New home for "silkies"

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:58:00 +0000

Now I know what was missing all along. The sound of a rooster in the morning. Now, here is the difference, we all like the sound of a rooster greeting the morning (something is always wrong with their timing - 4 O'clock is still night in my unshared opinion. But the chickens insists of calling it sunrise), By the way the many peacocks are not much better either.
The trick is to have small "silky" roosters = small voice = longer sleeps. The question remains: Are there miniature peacocks available?
The other picture introduces "sky" our newly born alpaca baby boy.
For all who new her: Margret has left Oude Wellington to pursue her own growing business. We are going to miss her knowledge and input, but wish her the very best of success.

Wellington Wine Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 16:58:00 +0000

The Wellington Wine Harvest Festival was a great success. We saw hundreds of people and despite the heat had good sales. We noticed more real tasters and a general good vibe. The Saturday was busy to our capacity although two major events (K-day and Cape carnival)attracted large amount of people. Today,Monday the Kleinvallei wedding venue opposite us was very busy and the cars parked all along the Bainskloof road. Very impressive for Wellington.

First Methode Cap Classique on Oude Wellington

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:12:00 +0000

Our makeshift equipment and tight working space was the environment for the first Oude Wellington Chardonnay brut made in the Methode Cap Classique. We wanted to have at least a few bottles to taste for the harvest festival starting tomorrow.
The day was filled with last minute labeling, decoration etc.

It is the first time I used my still camera to make this short movie and edited it with Windows 7 movie maker. It's quite fun.

Introducing Edith to the team

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 06:23:00 +0000

From today Edith is joining our small team She will be the voice on the phone, the number cruncher and the one to take the bookings for the guest house. She has been in the wine industry before and is familiar with the paper work involved. So from all of us a hearty welcome and as before you can use English, Afrikaans and German when calling or writing, as she is multi talented.

Harvest end

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 08:33:00 +0000

Today the last bids of grapes are coming in. Cabernet Sauvignon and Ruby Cabernet for our popular Currant Abbey. This year we promise to make it in the style most customers preferred: very fruity and rich with few tannins and lots of juicy flavours.
Exiting time for the first Oude Wellington Methode Cap Classic (Champagne) --- We still have no name for it. At the moment I am designing the packaging.

Harvest progress

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 07:33:00 +0000

Shiraz is in, Cabernet Sauvignon is promisingly of good quality with small berries and full of flavor. Only the Ruby Cabernet is left to harvest the the cycle can begin again. Only in a few professions does one realize the passage of time and season so directly then in farming. Battling to keep the grass green and being aware of the ever increasing risk of "veld fires" is at this time of the year. Every time we hear the sound of a helicopter the look is up to see if it carries a water sack underneath - being a strong indication of a fire near by. - so far -- relieve no fires around this year, at least in our valley.

new life on Oude Wellington

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 08:48:00 +0000

Saved from becoming biltong our newest edition are two lovely young ostriches. Finally a male for our two lonely female "aunties" who have resorted to picking each others tail feather.
Charlene Burger gave us these two and a couple of silky chickens as they had no more space for the animals on their small holding in Citrusdal. So off we drove to Citrusdal with a big horse box (thank you Adriaan for kinly allowing us to use the box!)trailing behind us. The scenic route took us 3 hours and more then 2 hours to catch the two in the open large camp.But with the help of some enthusiastic very "relaxed" farm workers they overpowered the two and carried them into the horse box. Charlene's mum spend a long time calming the two ruffed up birds and watered their heated bodies until they had calmed down and we could return to the farm.
I learned my limits when trying to reverse with a trailer, I had never done that before and did not do too well- but we managed and after delivering the box back to Adriaan and feeding the animals Sydney saved the day cooking a good meal.

Harvest is progressing well with a bumper a crop of 12.410 of Chardonnay- our best harvest in years (in 2010 it was only 3.325 tons and in 2009 8.9 tons) Being a strictly organic block we are particular happy about the outcome of the hard work.
Well done to all involved!!

Creativity needed

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 09:55:00 +0000

Up and including the Wellington Wine festival 19-21 March 2011 we are looking for a name for our new Champagne (cap Classic)
It should be short - elegant - preferably beginning with an "A" or early alphabet - enhance spirit and usable for white, pink and red.
If we use your suggested name you are invited for a romantic weekend for two.

Harvest midway

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 07:49:00 +0000

The sudden death of my friend Frank Schubert at the age of only 50 left us all in disbelieve and sad. Wir trauern mit der Familie(picture taken on Oude Wellington). I took some consequences and started regular exercises and went for a medical check-up.

So far all goes to plan. The grapes are healthy and the quality appears to be better then last year. The berries are small an indication of concentrated flavours and potential. After last year's devastating small crop the volume has not disappointed this year. The organic blocks (Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon) are very healthy. Our harvesting team was on time and a pleasure to work with. It is always a challenge to get a harvesting team to pick at the exact right time when large farms compete with large contracts continuity.

The grading council of South Africa has again awarded Oude Welington four stars. The criteria are more stringent for the guesthouses but ensure an even higher standard for our guests.

H-Day

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:25:00 +0000

The cycle comes to completion. The new harvest started today at 6:00. As usual our contract harvest team arrived on time and efficiently took to the task. The temperatures are moderate too.
Last minute repairs on the cooling plant was successful thanks to Mr. Burke senior, Sydney's dad who came all the way from Simonstown to help, and what a fantastical job
he did! Hardly any of our workers could keep up with the old man. He is so moderate and knowledgeable and a real powerhouse when it comes to a task and working out a problem. It is a privilege for me to know him. The little video sequence shows Hendrik pushing 25Kg baskets into the crusher destorker (separates the grapes from the woody parts and cracking the skins slightly open). Although early to say but it promises to be a good quality year. The grapes look healthy.
One spanner in the wheels was Anchor Yeast's (delivers yeasts) attitude and bureaucratic handling procedures. Not only did we had to pay upfront (which we did 6 days ago) and are customers for the last 14 years they still won't deliver until a fax with proof of payment has been forwarded, never mind having our money in their account or taking a look at their bank statements. When asked at 9:00 to please immediately deliver as we need the order now today, they could not make it possible to deliver one parcel from Epping to Wellington. Poor show - maybe it would help Anchor Yeast to have more meetings - improve on their BEE score card - send more reps to make more promises - instead of getting the job done.

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 07:53:00 +0000

Finally the time of indulgence has made space for the New Year. A short break to Langebaan was an escape from unbearable heat (45 Degree). The picture was a lucky shot at the beach.
We had a new Kria and named it Christal. She looks so vulnerable and insecure on her Bambi like legs. Unfortunately she wasn't sucking on her mum so we had to start bottle feeding her.
On the farm the grapes are growing nicely and healthily. Almost daily can you see the progress.

HiSSSSSSSS

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 12:35:00 +0000

A little exitement this afternoon when a tree snake decided to visit the swimming pool area. This about 1,50 long snake is poisenous but not aggressive at all. So we decided to leave it where it is. It keeps the mice and other rodents at bay. As one of my friends commented: At least our guests know they are in Africa. When we eventually have captured the snake we will hand her over to the nature conservation officer to reintroduce her to the wild. This kind of snake avoids humans and will disappear as soon as you come near.

Grapes are ripening fast

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 09:58:00 +0000

It is this time of the year again, when all over a "sudden" Christmas is around the corner and we think of presents, Christmas lunch and time running out. On the farm however it is the upcoming harvest and the health of the grapes in the interim.
All looks good and healthy, the two organic blocks are exceptionally well. THe weather is challenging with very hot and cool days in rapid sequence. Unusual heavy rains the one day and torching heat the next was the last weeks challenge.
We had some unhappy guests in the guesthouse being woken up by the peacocks in the early hours of the morning. Well farm life can be tough for city folk :-) Chicken, peacocks, hadidas and guinea fowls can be a bit much for the sleep deprived.

cool haircut - jodeling dog

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:23:00 +0000

October is the time to shear the alpacas. They look too pitiful after they have been stripped of their thick woolen "jerseys". Only now one can see how delicate these animals actually are.
On the farm is the spraying program in full swing. The organic blocks with just Solphpor. The vineyards looks healthy and vigorously growing.
Our naughty dog Moana Liza is on heat and has a very persistent suitor in form of a pavement special from the area. He is unbelievable; even while Moana was in a nearby kennel for two days he was constantly on the farm awaiting her return. Sydney could hardly sleep with a "love-sick" dog jodeling at his doorstep all night.

Crabs for grabs

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:30:00 +0000

How is that for a sweet water crab. I found it "frozen" on top of the dam. It measured about 15cm. The largest I have seen on the farm so far. Moana, the dog did quite ignore that strange "thing" and only briefly hovered her nose in striking distance of the shears, what a surprise this would have been for her.
Sydney has been planting out the veggies and now we check how much is left after the peacocks have detected the new patch.

Learning to twitter

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:10:00 +0000

I try to connect my blog to Facebook and twitter. This is just a test to see if it works.

Koos Kombuis

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 13:35:00 +0000

We had Koos Kombuis a very well known Afrikaans artist and his family staying with us this weekend. He was performing at the Breytenbach center here in Wellington.
Meanwhile Sydney has built a small hothouse for some organicly growing vegetables. The project is also an incentive to get our farm workers involved into growing their own food more effectively to not only feed their own families but also to generate some real income.
The weather is abit tricky, by the time it is not raining and the soil is firm enough for the tractor to drive on the field Murphies law kicks in and something breaks either on the tractor or the implement. My old "Fergi" tractor needs a newer brother soon or a major overhaul.

cleaning the "bankies"

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:08:00 +0000

We finally are getting around cleaning under the vines the good old way with a spade as this is one of our organic vineyards.
Mizzy has recovered and is eating healthily again. Sydney has build a small new hothouse and is busy with lots of vegetable seeds. Within two days small little leaves pushed out from the trays. It is always amazing to see nature in action when new life appears from a seed.
On a lesser good side is the continuing attack of vandals on the farm. This week the flags were not only stolen but just cut off.

Poor Mizzy

noreply@blogger.com (Oude Wellington Estate) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 09:17:00 +0000

What a great game. South Africa can be proud of Bafana. Beating the French and still not make it into the knock-out phase of the World cup is no shame. We left the head up from the field. There is still Ghana to represent the continent. And in comparison the German team only made it by a tiny margin. They are top of the pack and just made it into the next round.
Well done Bafana we are all proud f you!
The pitiful picture shows our old lovable cat Mizzi after coming from the vet. She has a skin irritation as is constantly scratching and hurting herself. They shaved the poor thing and now she looks like one of the monsters in Stephen King film. But she is a tough cookie and will recover. She gets all the medication and love from us.

On the farm the leaves have fallen now and pruning season starts. The weather is sunny and enough rain makes everything green and lovely to look at.