VINTAGE 2018

The 2018 vintage started off with very low rainfall during the 2017 winter months. Warm temperatures during the Spring induced even budding, which gave the vineyards a very good start to the season. However, the temperatures then dropped below average during Oct to Dec, with frequent small rainfalls and above normal wind.

The result in the vineyard was smaller bunches and berries and an overall lighter crop, which was further challenged by limited availability of irrigation water in the greater Coastal region. On Normandie Est.1693, we were privileged to have sufficient supplementary irrigation water from our dam on the farm. Due to our location, the dam fills up very early in winter every year.

Our intense, precision viticulture came to critical use during this very challenging season. In particular, our intense crop thinning was integral to securing perfectly ripened grapes.

The colour intensity was incredibly deep as a result of the dry but very “soft” season. Concentrated tannins and abundance of fruit give the 2018 vintage a very serious side, which together with our ageing regimes promise to deliver outstanding quality for our karen. 2018 vintage. Our yield was 44 hectolitres per hectare.