Winemaker Conrad Vlok celebrates 10th harvest
at Strandveld Vineyards
Issued by GC Communications on behalf of Strandveld
Vineyards
Conrad Vlok
Embracing
the 10th year of his journey of discovery as the driving force
behind Strandveld Vineyards’ cool climate wines, winemaker Conrad Vlok and his
team are in full swing with this year’s bountiful harvest at Africa’s
southernmost winery and home of First Sighting.
Conrad’s career at
Strandveld Vineyards, situated between Elim and Cape Agulhas in South Africa’s
newest and possibly most exciting wine ward, has been a two-fold triumph. Firstly for
him as a winemaker crafting wines in the young Elim wine appellation, and
secondly, for wine lovers discovering exciting
new wines rooted
in the rich history and landscape of this region just kilometers away from the
true tip of Africa. Strandveld Vineyards’ location – the cellar 11 kilometers
and the vineyards a mere 8 kilometers from the sea - combined with the
perpetual cool winds that blow from both the southeast and southwest, are
responsible for the unique growing conditions. The brackish gravel soils ensure
natural low yields and this, together with cooler temperatures, result in
slower ripened, healthy fruit with highly concentrated flavours and wines that
are as exciting and unique as the wine growing region they come from.
Over
the years Conrad has shown his prowess as an exceptional winemaker with a
decade of award winning vintages under his belt. Making the most of the ever
present sea winds cooling the vines and the unique Elim soils that shape every
vintage, Conrad and his team produce the popular First Sighting as well as the
top tier Strandveld wines. The name “First Sighting” honours Bartholomeu Diaz’s
first glimpse of Cape Agulhas in April 1488, a further thumbprint of how these
wines are shaped by the history of this unique wine growing region.
With
Strandveld Vineyards firmly entrenched as one of South Africa’s producers of
exceptional Sauvignon Blanc, as attested by highly regarded UK Master of Wine
Jancis Robinson, Conrad hopes that 2014 will also be a good year for Strandveld
Pinot Noir.
“We
are well known for our Sauvignon Blanc, but I have a feeling that this could be
the year that our Pinot Noir will also shine. I chose open barrel fermentation,
with only two gentle punch downs per day, instead of the regular pump over
action, as a means to extract less hard tannins from the pips and skins,” notes
Conrad.
Showing
a beautiful dark purple colour, this young wine will age further in new French
oak barrels.
“Things
are looking very promising in the cellar, even though it was a tricky year for
the harvest with heavy rains in November and January,” says Conrad, whose 10
year experience has more than equipped him to be in top form with each new
vintage. As the first winemaker to press grapes from Strandveld’s own vineyards
in 2005, Conrad has a close affinity to the soil, the vines and the cellar. The
white cultivars Conrad currently specialises in are Sauvignon Blanc and
Semillon, especially a blend of the two as portrayed in his highly acclaimed Strandveld Adamastor.
Amongst the reds, his focus is on Shiraz, Grenache and Pinot Noir.
The
2014 Strandveld harvest started on 14 February – a week later than the previous
year – and should be wrapped up by the end of March.
“My
time at Strandveld Vineyards marks the longest period I have been at any wine
farm, which of course brings with it the great satisfaction of experience and a
deep understanding of the vineyards, as well as our very own particular
micro-climate and diverse soil types,” adds Conrad.
His
proudest achievements include a Veritas Double Gold medal as well as a Gold
medal (Best in Class) for his 2010 Strandveld Sauvignon Blanc. Both the
Sauvignon Blanc and the 2009 Strandveld Adamastor received 5-star ratings in
Platter’s South African Wine Guide.
“Every
time your wines achieve such great recognition is like a stamp of approval for
a job well done,” says Conrad, whose Strandveld Navigator, a red blend produced
from Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvédre and Viognier is a firm favourite with wine
lovers as well as visitors to the farm who are intrigued by the history that
inspired the name. This Rhône blend pays homage to Prince Henry the Navigator –
the patron of early Portuguese exploration, who had a passion for rounding
Africa’s southernmost tip.
When
Conrad is not working in the vineyards or the cellar, you can find him spending
time with his family at their home on the farm, in the veld or line fishing
from his sea kayak in the Atlantic off Cape Agulhas. He is passionate about
cooking and visitors to Strandveld Vineyards might just catch the delicious aroma
of a succulent fish dish or Springbok potjie being prepared.
Conrad’s
winemaking philosophy is that winemaking starts first and foremost in the
vineyards and that it takes good grapes to make great wine. “Attention to
detail is key. Don’t mess up in the cellar; stay focused until the wine is in
the bottle and on the table.”
Dedicated
first and foremost to bio-diversity and the conservation of the lush
surroundings, Strandveld Vineyards offers a picturesque setting with an
abundance of birdlife and plants, the perfect escape for wine and nature lovers
to experience a serene getaway from the city's hustle and bustle. The farm is
open for wine tastings in the historic tasting room and offers the experience
to extend your stay in one of the welcoming guest cottages. Phone Tel: +27 (0)28 482 1906 or send email to info@strandveld.co.za. Visit www.strandveld.co.za, Facebook or follow @Strandveld on Twitter. The GPS
coordinates are 34 ° 39 ' 592 " S; 19 ° 47 ' 268 " E.
