The name means The Footpath in Dutch, and comes from the name of Dirk Brand’s wheat and rooibos tea farm, where the rustic block of old vines is tucked away. This is surely the most isolated old vineyard in the country, presumably originally planted to supply the farmer and his neighbours. Its 1.4 hectares host varieties established in the Cape since the early days of European settlement, with most of the planting done between 1887 – 1928, and all of the vines grow on their own roots . The vineyard’s survival without irrigation is also extraordinary in this hot valley in the north of the huge Swartland region, near the village of Aurora and Elands Bay on the coast. Its precise location has allowed it to survive, with an underground river flowing beneath it from the mountains.

After our decision in 2019 to drop all the fruit or the little we had, it comes as a relief to have the wine back again in the stable albeit in extremely limited quantities. We managed to produce one tiny cask so it is a sign of hope. Much work went into the vineyard after the severe drought and to date for the last season we still stand only on 285mm of rain. The 2020 Voetpad displays the wet wool and straw and haybale characteristics that mark this wine and the tannins are as firm and solid as only this vineyard can express. The equilibrium in this wine and overall balance is on point and we are delighted to offer the wine again in this year’s release.

Location:
Swartland

Grapes:
Semillon Blanc, Semillon Gris, Palomino,Chenin Blanc & Muscat d’ Alexandrie (South African synonym) Groendruif, Vaalblaar, Steen & Hanepoot

Ageing:
12 Months in old Acacia and Oak foudres

Soils:
Decomposed Table Mountain Sandstone on a Loam base

TECHNICAL DETAILS
Yield 17 hl/ha
Alcohol 13 %
Residual Sugar 1.5 g/L
pH 3,14
Total Acidity 6 g/L
Total Sulphur 64 mg/L