The Old Wagonhouse

The Old Wagonhouse

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Micro Ice Age

Just as we thought or rather say I and my peach trees thought summer was on its way the winter extends its visit.  Yes my peach trees is just about to flower and the colder weather should not have any effect.  Peaches are more resistant to frost and cold.  More so than the apricots and vines. 
The Little Karoo and especially Calitzdorp really keeps you humble.  A year ago we didn't know when the water is going to come.  Now our dam is overflowing since 17 June and we don't know what to do with the water.  For the not so agricultural involved the water is harmless at this stage.  More structural damage because of erosion.  So we enjoy this with everybody.  We allready had three overflow 'beurte' and here at Withoek we flood irrigated all possible lands we could.  We even sewn some lucern and oats.  We don't have any livestock to speak of but at least we will some for if we want some. 
With our new plantings planning it goes well.  All the irrigation is in where we could put it in so far.  Just two blocks remain.  One of the blocks next to the Groenfontein road we have to put in drainage.  It seems like one of my own dams are leaking.  First things first is to secure at least about a 1,2m of dry soil for the new plantings.  We are doing this by doing a cut off drain pipe on the northern side.  With the drain pipe we put in old building rubble with a cover of plastic.  The plastic will see to it that the soil does not stop the drain pipes holes.  The system will the function for a longer period and the rubble will actually enhance the effecitvity of the drain system. 
You can also see in the middle of the new plantings a drainage.  This is for the water that slip by or enter the land from the eastern side.  THis water will be relayed to the river via a channel which is running west. 
We also started with pruning last week.  With Calitzdorp's unreliable weather we want to avoid the late frost and by pruning late we  sort of limit the period the vines will or can be exposed to frost.  Further by pruning later the new eyes/ buds on the shoots bearing the fruit for next year will be exposed to more sunlight and thus be more fertile. 
Well they will be tasting the Platter wines tomorrow in Barrydale.  And Withoek will be there.  I am also lucky to be asked again to taste on the National Young Wine Show's panel for Port.  This will be also happening tomorrow.  You must keep you  fingers crossed for a nice cold day in Paarl. 
Wines I have tasted recently is my own Shiraz 2009.  Really drinking well.  The alcohol has integrated well with the wine.  Had a dinner at Alex Fick.  He makes marvelous curries.  It tasted nearly sweet from the fruit with the curry.  A real winner.  The curry that is.  Ya and the Shiraz.  My Cabernet was bottled and is being tasted at the Wine Board this week.  Labels was ordered and it will be releases soon.  A young fruitful wine with lower alcohol level.  Typical Cab it needs time. 
Axehill also released a red blend which is really excellent.  Don't expect anything ordinary.   This is wine made of port cultivars and the spices  combinates excellent with the fruit.  A really beauty.  Machado is the name I think.  THis wine now joins III from Peter Bayly as one of the 'Calitzdorp' blend wines.  Wines made from Port  Cultivars.  BOth of them is highly recommended.
So take out a port or Calitzdorp blend and enjoy the last bit of the winter or so I think.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Post Port

After the Festival I really start enjoying what is great living in this Capital of ours.  The quiet sunny days - sometimes a bit misty - and cold evenings.  A glass of red wine and the more daring Port to end it off with.  Sounds bad  - probably have to call the AA but please waite till the end of the winter. 
The feedback on the festival has been good and it seems that we are going to make an annual event of this.  I think the town really needs it and it is good to showcase what we have to offer once a year. 
This last week also seen a little newspaper:  Calitzdorp Focus hit the streets.  Very informative and well planned.  Something to read for everyone in the community as well as visitors who wants to get to know our little village a bit better.  Look out for an article on Port in the next issue.

On Withoek the big bulldozer is doing its bit to really break the soils deep.  We want to break the soil as deep as possible.  By doing this we create a bigger tank and volume of soil which can be used by the plant to gather the necessary nutrients and water.  The deeper the better.  We are also busy putting up the trellis systems for vineyards planted last year.  This goes on well and we should be finished by the end of this week. 
With the Calitzdorp Dam overflowing the farmers all got some extra water.  With this all the storage water stored behind the dam wall is lost and the farmers must each use as much as they can.  At Withoek we flood irrigated some of our outside vineyards and orchards.  Mostly to wash out some of the salts building up because of the drip and micro irrigation.  We also help the soils to become moist and so the water will be there when the soil temperatures rise again and the early root growth burst happens.  This will help with the adsorption of minerals and nutrients for the plant and leads to better growth and hopefully and excellent harvest. 
We also will be bottling our Cabernet Sauvignon next week.  It is very fruity style with not high alcohol 13%.  Again in the softer style typical of Withoek.  So keep your eyes peeled for the first ones.