HARVEST!!

We started with harvest seriously this week. We allready past last years sales on the plums to the fresh markets.  The apricots seems to be slower and their seems to be a lot of uneven ripeness.  We also started to dry some apricots and so far the results looks promising. 

The veld is a  bit dry and we certainly needs some rain in the nearby future otherwise their might be problems. 

Our vines are healthy and our spray program seems to be on target.  Hopeful another big havest lies ahead.

Last weekend we had a Geyser family weekend in Nystroom (Mollimole??).  The wines of Withoek was well received and we were sold out within a few hours.  It was a very enjoyable weekend although my youngest son made it a bit difficult in the evenings.  Our new range - the Geyser range (375ml) tawny Port was a definate hit.  It seems as if the whole packaging is a big drawing card.
We also started picking plums and apricots this week.  The quality looks good and I think we were very fortunate with the hail not damaging our fruit as bad as some of our neighbours products.  We dried fruit will also start tomorrow. 
We had Chrissie's birthday party last night at the tasting room.  Sundowners turned out to happen till 10 in the evening in Calitzdorp.  Very enjoyable.    Stunning evening with great people - what more do you want.  Coffee at Handelshuis this morning was a must to get the balance right.
Also worked with Alex Fick on Tuesday morning.  Tasting the Shiraz and Port in the barrels.  Ficks wine and port is a promising fruit bomb.  As it is young wines it over provide in the strawberry, rasberry and plum departments.  Very nice drinks.  My own products also looks well balanced and complex.  The port that turns out to be a fine sample of the ruby style still shows the traditional port flavour complexes with a smooth finish.  The Shiraz is a forcefull one.  The same block was used in Calitzdorp cellars blend that gold in the SA Young wine show.  The vineyard definately is starting to mature.  Exciting times

Hope to see you soon in Calitzdorp

Today bottled the Tawny Port.  Went well.  297 of the 375ml bottles which would be sold under the Geyser Label the rest of it will go in the Std18 Bottle for Withoek Range. 
I had some taste of it and it seem to go down well. 

Will probably bottle Wednesday the Tawny Port. Also the new smaller bottle under the Geyser label. Still busy developing the label. It will be released at the annual Geyser get together in Nylstroom. Looking forward to it.
Also had a visit from the Siyabona in flight magazine's sub editor. She certainly took a liking to the Port Capital, Calitzdorp and plans to return next March / April for a follow up. So be on the look out for some interesting articles of Calitzdorp when you fly SAA again.
If you want to visit Calitzdorp now is probably the best time. Lots of places to stay: Spekboom Cottages a brilliant little place and for the financial more independant Calitzdorp Country Lodge - a real treat.

Withoek wines is a small cellar in the Little Karoo. The cellar is owned by Koos 'Jack' Geyser, a Bloemfontein based engineer. He started on this project of his in 1996 in partnership with his cousin Koos Geyser who was a farmer in the area.

The first steps was the production of Port style, Cape Ruby, which did very well in local competitions. It got a double gold in the Suid Kaap Markklaar Wynskou and a silver at Veritas. The cousins also tried there hand at other fortifieds namely Hanepoot and Muskadel. In 2000 they decided to try their hand at a dry red. Mostly made of Tinta Barocca, Souzao and Ruby Cabernet. This wine was well received. This wine was barrel matured for 18 months in 3 fill French Oak.

At the moment Withoek range exists out of a Dry Red 03, Tawny Port, Cabernet franc/Shiraz 2007, Soet wyn and Muskadel 2006.

Dry Red 2003
Still made with the same cultivars as the first Withoek Dry Red it continues in the same style. It is spicy. According to Tony Mossop the right partner for a pepperoni pizza. Good value at R20 ex cellar.

Tawny Port
This Tawny Port is the only one with a Wine of Origin Klein Karoo and also shows the rich spices with nice caramel finish so typical of a good Tawny. The colour is still a bit dark but definately shows the necessary tawny colour at the edge. A definate buy at R45 ex cellar.

Cabernet franc / Shiraz 2007
A more classical style of red wine with red berries and smooth finish is a wine to be enjoyed now or over the next 2 years. The coffee flavours of Cabernet franc works well with the spices of the Shiraz. R35 ex cellar - a steal.

Soet wyn
Fortified Muskadel / Hanepoot blend which was oak matured for 1 year. A experiment with this favourite. The alcohol and wine integrated well and is a easy drink for someone looking for something on the sweeter side. R20 ex cellar - nearly at cost.

Muskadel 2006
This wine made by Leanne April was a hit from the go. The muskadel picked at 25 degrees Balling and after the fermentation started fortified. The grapes coming from a small block of Red Muskadel grapes also shows the pinkish colour associated with the Red Muskadels. Also oak matured for 12 months it was one of the first wines made and bottled on the premises. A jewel in the Withoek range a must buy at R45 ex cellar.

As you see most of our wines are very affordable and wines made to enjoy.

Contact us on South Africa 044 21 33639 and or fax 086 628 7853 or email. withoek@telkomsa.net