Uncorking the Year: Wine, Events, and Memories of 2024
Yes, it’s been an incredible year! I can’t believe I’m already typing my last update for 2024. We’re all starting to feel that holiday mood setting in, and I’m looking forward to spending quality time with family.
One of the great things about making wine in South Africa, or anywhere in the southern hemisphere, is that a new year always starts with a new harvest. It’s an exciting way to kick off the year. While the 2024 harvest wasn’t the largest, it still produced some incredible grapes for me to work with. From January to April, I don’t travel as much, as harvest time is always the most enjoyable part of the year for me personally.
From May to December, the focus shifts mostly to marketing our wines, presenting tastings, attending wine festivals, and meeting wonderful people like you. There are also days spent in the cellar, racking wine, preparing it for bottling, and of course, bottling. Today happens to be one of those days. The new Bizoe Henrietta 2024 blend is currently on the line as I type this. This blend is 63% Semillon and 37% Sauvignon Blanc, and I’m confident it’s going to be a vintage we can all be proud of.
The Rikus Neethling Chenin Blanc 2024 will also be on the line in the next hour. This will be the second edition of the Rikus Neethling Chenin Blanc. It’s the perfect wine for lounging on the sofa with a glass in hand or relaxing by the pool on a summer day. We’re also bottling the Rikus Neethling Grenache Rosé 2024, which is light in color with fresh, crisp flavors. It’s going to be a tough decision on what to open from the Rikus Neethling range this year!
2024 has delivered some of the best wine events. The Stoep Tasting in the Karoo is always a favourite, and I’m already looking forward to returning next year. The Prince Albert “Vino de Camino” in August, held just outside The Rude Chef Restaurant, was another highlight. If the first event was anything to go by, next year is sure to be even bigger and better.
Though I couldn’t attend Fijn Wyn in Pretoria in person, the feedback from our representative was excellent. Even Estalet made the trip up to Fijn Wyn and had an amazing time. Wine-hopping through the country took me to some incredible towns and places, where I met new wine enthusiasts and had unforgettable experiences. I’m looking forward to doing it again in 2025.
Stay safe and enjoy the festive season!
