As new wineries in South Africa continue to open at the rate of more than one a week, so the winelands also expand, with vineyards often breaking into virgin territory.
The latest pioneering grape growing area to receive Wine of Origin demarcation is Plettenberg Bay, which received the official status as a District under the Wine of Origin scheme.

This seaside town, approximately 530 kilometres east of Cape Town and the hub of the Cape winelands, is better known as an upmarket holiday resort than a fine wine area. According to Peter Thorpe, who established Bramon Wine Farm in a mountainous area just outside Plettenberg Bay known as The Crags, both the cool coastal climate and high limestone content of the soil point to ideal conditions for production of white wines.

The first vines were planted in 2000. Apart from problems with birds, the results have been good enough to encourage Thorpe to expand the area under vine; currently there are five hectares all planted to sauvignon blanc. Further plantings might also include pinot noir.

With an eye on the local polo crowd's preference for bubbly, Thorpe is producing just one wine, a sparkling wine made in the traditional (champagne) method.
Quality grapes, he believes, require quality winemaking. Until production warrants building a cellar on the farm, Pieter 'Bubbles' Ferreira is vinifying the wine at Graham Beck's Robertson cellar. The grapes, harvested into small crates, are transported the nearly 390km between Plett and Robertson by refrigerated truck.

The first two vintages are 2004 and 2005, the latter soon to be disgorged. Grape will review the wine once it is released; details of availability will be given then.

Source: www.grape.co.za / 3 March 2006

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