Blog
Harvest 2013 overview
MARCH 19, 2013 | 2013’s Harvest is almost complete, and we sat down with Cellar Master Frans Smit to find out how the wine harvest is progressing. This vintage had a very cool build-up to harvest and an unusually cool February, resulting in great fruit concentration, specifically on the white wines. Frans also think 2013 will be remembered for some great white wines. 2013 Wines will also be characterised by good natural acidity, meaning they will age well.
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Today’s photo: Hand sorting Pinotage 2013
FEBRUARY 07, 2013 | Pinotage, with it’s finicky and temperamental character is true to it’s South African roots.
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What is an Eggmobile? More about our laying hen operation.
JANUARY 07, 2013 | What is an Eggmobile? More about our laying hen operation.An Eggmobile is a mobile hen house. Inspired by Joel Salatin who I learnt about reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan. We have 10 on our farm with each housing 250 hens. Below is a picture taken in early September 2012 as the girls are heading out for another day of free ranging on our pastures. (This is genuine free range not the theoretical access to the free range that you actually buy when you buy free range. More about this later in the blog.)
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Our vineyard berm management strategy
NOVEMBER 11, 2012 | The discussion below relates to vineyards that are irrigated. Dryland has its own challenges but weed management is not one of them.The vineyards on Spier are in their second year of conversion to organic status and then to biodynamic status. I have been managing my dryland Chenin vineyard according to biodynamic principles since 2005. I produce my straw wine from this vineyard.
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Farmer Angus receives Good Earth Keeper Award
OCTOBER 23, 2012 | Our very own Farmer Angus has received a Good Earth Keeper Award from Compassion in World Farming, an international organisation that campaigns for farm animal welfare. The award was given for his humane treatment of the animals that are farmed at Spier.
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CNBC TV Programme
SEPTEMBER 06, 2012 | We have been busy preparing the farm for the season, and filmed this insert with CNBC last week.
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