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.