We all are awaiting for the harvest 22 to start. Just to start the year, we are already 2 weeks later than the start of 2021. Is it a good thing? Only time will tell.

What is the possible reasons for the late start? During the growing season from September 2021 until a week ago, we had relative constant rain and mild temperatures during the season. In simple terms the soil needs to heat up to activate the growth in the vine. This year it occurred at a slower pace due to the rain and mild temperatures that lead to the delay in harvest. An old saying the longer the fruit hang on the vine the better the quality. Will this be tested in 2022 harvest?

We all thought we are cruising into the 2022 harvest and then January gives us the heat and high temperatures. The sudden heat wave we are experiencing in the Western Cape at the moment, is ripening the early cultivars and speeding up the late cultivars and my prediction is that we are going to have a harvest that everything will be ripe at the same time. Winemaker’s nightmare, having enough space in the cellar.

At least we are predicting it and can start planning for it. There is also the possibility that it might not happen. One of the fun things about farming no year, no vintage is ever the same. From our side we are ready to receive the grapes and just can’t wait for the fun to start.

We will kick the harvest of by harvesting our Semillon grapes from Darling, followed by the Semillon from Franschhoek. New editions this year will be some Grenache grapes from Breedekloof that we are excited about getting into the cellar. Follow our Facebook pages, we will keep you updated on our harvest 22!

Didn’t we all say we can’t wait for 2021 after 2020, now we are in 2022. Happy New Year to you all, may 2022 be the year we all remember for good stuff and return to normal life again.

On that note we are back in the cellar. We bottled the Bizoe Idioglossia Chardonnay 2021 and Bizoe Genant 2020. Chardonnay for the 2021 vintage are 90% grapes from Elgin Valley fermented in a Amphora pot, blended with 10% Chardonnay grapes from Stellenbosch aged in oak barrels. The wine to be available at the end of February 2022.

The second release of the Bizoe Genant SGM 2020 will have more Grenache and Mourvèdre in the 2020 blend. The Bizoe Genant 2020 will consist of  Shiraz 52% Grenache 33% and Mourvèdre 15%. Available from April 2022.

Second week of December I was joined by Bernard Dewey from Chamonix Wine Farm in Franschhoek in the Garden Route presenting wines at Viswijf Restaurant in Jeffreys Bay. What a great place and setting, food amazing, owners is amazing and passionate about food and wine. A must visit!

St Francis wine and dine with the major of the town and owner of biggest engine in St Francis, Clive of Clive’s Chokka Block Restaurant. Being around Clive is fun, old school chef and believe you can’t leave his restaurant not being fed. A must visit when in St Francis.

Last stop on our trip was Bay Leaf Café in George. Danielle owner of Bayleaf, our paths crossed first time at his restaurants in Johannesburg called Buonissimo in Modderfontein. 2021 is the first year that we ventured into the Garden Route with our wines. It is a pleasant surprise and is always looking forward spending time on the Garden Route.

When in George there will always be time to sit down and have chat with my friend Wern van der Watt, owner of Nina’s Cafe. Luckily they have celebrated their 5th birthday that week. Congrats Wern and Tash we are looking forward dining at Nina’s for the next 5 years and future!