Completing a study to find out its ‘carbon footprint’ in 2008, KWV then decided to explore several strategies to reduce this ‘footprint’.
In an effort to reduce future carbon emissions, our viticultural team, Unathi Mantshongo and Cobus van Graan, headed out to the Mbekweni township in Paarl to plant 500 trees.
As part of this initiative KWV aims to plant 2670 indigenous trees and fruit trees in four of Mbekweni’s low-cost housing wards. The aim is to off-set more than 5% of its carbon emissions over the next 15 years.
KWV decided to focus its efforts on the Paarl community as it provides most of our natural resources.
The tree planting project is spearheaded by KWV’s viticultural team in partnership with the award-winning NGO, Food & Trees for Africa.
The first 500 trees, comprising Karee Trees, White Stinkwood Trees, African Olive Trees, Water Berry Trees and the Cape Holly Trees were planted in July, with the rest to follow during the year.
KWV’s chief winemaker Richard Rowe expressed his gratitude to the community for their support and looks forward to seeing the trees and the community grow.
We, the KWV Wines bloggers have just received this harvest update from our wine team, Thys, Johann and Cobus.
Overview: Cobus van Graan – KWV Viticulturist:
Season was characterized by mild weather till the end of February. Mild daytime and cooler night temperatures were very favorable for slow ripening and the development of berry flavors. During this period we were truly able to harvest when we felt that the fruit was ripe and subsequently the white and red wines harvested in this period are showing well at this early stage.
As from February 27th both day and night temperatures increased and the grape intake increased dramatically. The challenge was to harvest grapes at the optimum point and the producers and winery alike put in a fantastic effort to achieve this goal.
The 2010 vintage will be smaller than predicted due to severe wind damage and high disease pressure early in the season.
White wine: Johann Fourie – KWV Winemaker
The 2010 vintage was delayed quite a bit, even for white grapes. The first grapes that we received, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay display typical base wine characteristics and are destined for our Method Cap Classique Sparkling wines and might develop to be our highlight of the 2010 vintage.
The intake of other grape varieties was inconsistent, making this a rather difficult harvest. Sauvignon blanc, Chenin blanc and Chardonnay show high potential in delivering unique wines with great characteristics. Fruity Chenin Blanc’s, elegant Chardonnay’s and a combination of grassy, tropical Sauvignon Blanc are expected.
Red Wine: Thys Loubser – KWV Winemaker:
The quality of red grapes is very promising for the 2010 harvest. Yields are lower due to the cool conditions during November and December 2009. The heat wave during February impacted on the intake of grapes, as all varieties ripened simultaneously. Currently Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are still being received. Overall the grape quality is very good and displaying a good colour. Merlot is showing particular potential for this harvest.
Cobus, grew up in Elgin and began is career with a B.Sc.Agric. Oenology and Viticulture, after which he worked in California for three months. On his return he joined Vinpro Consultation services as Senior Viticulturist for the Paarl area.
Currently Cobus is Senior Viticulturist at KWV. He is responsible for grape procurement, producer liaison and new area developments – all in all, ensuring the excellence that epitomises the KWV Wines.
We had a word with our viticulturists, Cobus and Unathi as well as Chief Winemaker, Richard Rowe about climate change and its effect on South African wines. This is what they had to say:
We’d like to introduce you to Unathi Montshongo, one of the KWV Viticulturists. Unathi is originally from Umtata, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa – but it was a few years later that her love affair with winemaking began at Stellenbosch University where she completed her B.Sc.Agric. with Oenology and Viticulture. She later furthered her education with an Honours in Viticulture and a Certificate in Business Communication.
