The new kids on the block It’s one of those rare quiet mornings on the Aaldering estate. Reinhard Odendaal, Aaldering’s winemaker, is a happy man. The harvest is done, the results are promising, and the estate looks wonderful. Time for an update.
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n 2017, 3.5 hectares of new wine land were acquired to enable us to rotate between the existing vines and to plant new cultivars. Also, 3 hectares were replanted; quite an extensive operation if you bear in mind that the boutique estate covers just 27 hectares altogether. In October 2019 we started planting exciting new cultivars: the Bordeaux beauties Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. And a 1 hectare block of Pinotage Bush Vine was added high up on the estate, beautifully situated. In the future, this cultivar will contribute to the further refinement of the iconic Aaldering Pinotage. Before we started planting, we had extensive soil research done in collaboration with VINPRO and the University of Stellenbosch to find out what vines would thrive on our magnificent terroir.”
“TURNING GRAPES INTO WONDERFUL WINE, THAT TO ME IS PURE HAPPINESS”
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What will the new cultivars bring to the Aaldering wines? “As we always say: our Aaldering Wines are pure, elegant, and perfectly balanced and in harmony. After finishing my studies at the University of Stellenbosch I started working as an assistant winemaker and viticulturist at Kanonkop, and at Beyerskloof, which at that time, at the beginning of this century, was “the home of Pinotage.” I will therefore always have a soft spot for Pinotage, which is why I was happy that I immediately recognised this estate as a paradise for Pinotage when I first started working here. The Pinotage that we produce is top quality. But over the years I have also started to love the Bordeaux style. We planted Merlot for elegance and balance. Cabernet Sauvignon brings structure and fruit, Cabernet Franc gives the earthy tones, Petit Verdot adds acidity, and Malbec delivers on exotic flavours and spice. With these new cultivars we will be making an iconic Bordeaux blend.”
