Our summer platter consists of:

• 5 different cheeses,
• biscuits,
• cheese sticks,
• pate,
• onion marmalade,
• green figs,
• a variety of cold meats,
• spring rolls,
• ciabatta bread or small vetkoek (when available),
• olives,
• cocktail tomatoes and
• fresh fruit.

Yes it’s yummy!

We have a mini platter for kids this year too.

There is juice, bottled waters and Appletizer to drink; and The Berrio wines of course.

Being a part of the SMA project is particularly rewarding. It allows us to work together with other farmers in our area to preserve the natural heritage of the Agulhas Plain. By doing this we are in effect protecting the exciting and unique terroir of our wines.

In 2003, a group of seven farmers formed the Nuwejaars Wetlands Land Owners Association (NWLOA) started planning the SMA. Today there are twenty five farmers that are members.

Together we have taken our private land that borders on the Agulhas National Park, and committed it to conservation, fighting climate change, farming sustainably and uplifting all who live here. To entrench our commitment we have all signed restrictions to our title deeds.

This project is the first of its kind in South Africa where landowners put their land aside and work together in the interests of long term biodiversity while still continuing to farm.

We've also created a Section 21 company called Nuwejaars River Nature Reserve, through which we pump back profits into our conservation operations.

We work according to unique integrated land-use management system. The land has been divided into three areas - the Core Area, Buffer Area and Transition Area.

The Core Area

This is the conservation area that lies in the center of the SMA and we are in the process of fencing it in and reintroducing wild animal species that have been driven out of the region. Click here to see the release of some of the wildlife.

The Buffer Area

This surrounded the core conservation area and provides a buffer between conservation and agricultural land and serves to protect the core area.

The Transition Area

This surrounds the buffer area and is where farming activities continue.

The SMA protects the wetlands, conserves endangered fynbos and creates jobs through our various projects. 70 jobs have been created thus far. The projects include:

• Restoring threatened wetlands and rare fynbos
• Clearing invasive aliens
• Proactive fire management
• Promoting the wellbeing of all living in the area
• Reintroducing game that once roamed the area
• Ensuring sustainable agricultural production
• Introducing visitors to the Agulhas Plain and its natural specialties
• Addressing climate change and carbon sequestration

The SMA holds the key to protecting the De Mond estuary which includes several of the few coastal lakes in the area, hundreds of rare and endangered plants that are endemic to the area.

We’re really starting to see the results of our collaboration. There is nothing quite like working together with our friends and neighbours to protect the natural heritage of the Agulhas Plain and to create “greener” wines, and being successful in our endeavours.

Winter has been good on the Agulhas Plain this year. Cold weather and ample rain is just what we need for nice even bud bursts in the Spring which will contribute to producing consistent, well-balanced wines.

We have been extremely busy with pruning the vineyards and planting cover crops, like oats,  for mulching. We did manage to take a short break to stay in Sandrif and go climbing the spectacular Wolfberg “cracks” in the Cedarberg.

World Cup fever had us watching football regularly for the first time and Francis even listened to it on the radio!

We were also delighted to be able to introduce Holland supporters to The Berrio wines at the Oranje camp at the Bergrivier Resort.

Pruning

In the vineyards we’re grafting Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon over an existing Cabernet vineyard which will be in full production in a year or two. We are thrilled with the quality of our cover crops – they’re looking like they’ll make outstanding mulch!

Pruning grapevines is not difficult, but it’s hard work and very important to ensure a good harvest. It takes years of shaping vines by pruning them to make sure you’re able to maintain consistency of the quality of the fruit and the productivity of the vine.

Find out more about this part of the winemaking process

2008 at its best

Unfortunately the 2008 Weather Girl is ‘finito’ …but the good news is that the 2008 Sauvignon Blanc is at its best at the moment and we do have in stock. This vintage received 4 ½ Platter stars and Francis says it’s “drinking better than ever!”.

If you don’t have any – don’t stress - you can now order direct from us and we’ll have it delivered to your door. (Min. 2 cases/12 bottles). You can also order the imminent 2009 Weather Girl and Sauvignon Blanc now to ensure you don’t miss out!

In the cellar we’re busy blending the 2010 vintage of the Weather Girl and our Sauvignon Blanc, as well as the 2009 Shiraz which is tasting fantastic.

The 2009 Pinot Noir is just about ready for bottling and we’re excited to see what you think of it as it has been an amazing challenge for us.

Wine, whales and more for you to do on the tip of Africa

Elsje (our right-hand-lady) had a great time staying over at De Hoop recently. She took The Berrio to a tasting of local wines at the restaurant. Elsje says it is absolutely stunning and worth a visit as soon as you possibly can. It’s whale season, the whales are arriving and De Hoop are having loads of specials. (And we’re on the wine list of course ;)

De Hoop is considered the nursery of the Southern Right whales and is truly magnificent. There are a lot of things to do and see there, in fact there is an enormous amount to experience on the Agulhas Plein, so take a look at a few we think are “must sees” for when you visit.

With the Elim Wine route at the top of the list of course.

Fish Escabeche

Pickled fish is popular in South Africa and delicious with Sauvignon Blanc. So seeing as The Berrio’s 2008 is so delectable at the moment we’re sharing a recipe for a Malay version.

You can use any fresh fish but we recommend a yellow tail. Click here and enjoy!

The Berrio has passed its BWI (Biodiversity Wine Initiative) audit for the 6th year in a row. The BWI is a pioneering partnership between the South African wine industry and the conservation sector. The goals are to minimise the further loss of threatened natural habitat, and to contribute to sustainable wine production, through the adoption of biodiversity guidelines by the South African wine industry.

The Berrio wines have gone down a treat in Sweden, Germany and Holland which we’re thrilled about! The Swedes especially… they don’t seem to be able to get enough of our 2008 vintages.

Our wines were also enjoyed at The Burgundy restaurant in Hermanus by a group of 15 restauranteurs and sommeliers, thanks to an event organized by Great Grapes. We attended The Wine Show at the Coca Cola dome in Johannesburg in June, and had a great weekend at the Hermanus Wine & Food Fair in Hermanus over the Womens Day weekend.

We’ll be tending the vines fastidiously over the next while; have The Platter tasting for the year coming up in August, and are attending a number of wine events we hope to see you at!

So, although the winter months have been very busy for The Berrio wines, it seems we’re shifting to full steam ahead as we head towards the warmer months.

Pruning grapevines is not difficult, but it’s hard work and very important to ensure a good harvest. It takes years of shaping vines by pruning them to make sure you’re able to maintain consistency of the quality of the fruit, and the productivity of the vine.

After harvest we wait until leaf fall, and when it’s just cold enough, usually around the end of June, we cut the canes “borselkop” to a length of 30cm long. (“Borselkop” is difficult to translate – but essentially the vines look like they’ve had a brushcut when done).


They need to be this length because they are the sensors that pick up the change of weather. This helps to gauge when it’s time for the vines to wake up again after the winter sleep. 


At the end of August we cut the canes down to 3cm so that there are only two buds. These two buds will create new shoots which will carry the new crop. We only cut at end of August so that bud bursts are even which means the fruit that ripens evenly and we end up with a balanced wine.


Pruning is essential to maintain a balance between the growth of the vines and the quality of the crop. If a vine is pruned too much, more shoots grow and the vine produces more grapes – it also produces more leaves! If the vine has too many leaves, and thus more shade, it becomes difficult for the grapes to ripen.

Hand tools are mainly used to prune grape vines as you have to be very careful not to injure the vines. Larger wood is trimmed with skêr (scissors... LARGE ones) or handsaws.



The fruits of our labour and dedication during pruning will be evident in the quality of The Berrio wines we create for you.

We’ve had a busy winter travelling around the country to different wine shows. We had an excellent time at the Mercury Wine Week in Durban and are thrilled that the reception the people of Natal gave The Berrio wines.

You guys are great – thanks for all your warmth, support and enthusiasm. It was especially nice to meet Margie of The Wine Shoppe in the Midlands and spend time in front of a coal stove over coffee (yes…coffee – we do drink beverages other than wine!).

We heard what I think is the best description of a wine ever at the Hermanus Wine & Food Fair in August.

A good-looking young couple walked into the tent, turning heads as they arrived. This wine-loving pair was very obviously besotted with each other. They strolled around the tent tasting wines and gazing into each other’s eyes. They came to The Berrio stand and asked to taste our 2008 Sauvignon Blanc.

For a moment they managed to take their eyes off one another while they looked at the colour of the wine. Then, once again completely oblivious to anything but each other, they swirled the wine in their glasses, sniffed deeply, took a sip and rolled the wine around their mouths. The woman swallowed her wine, moved closer to her partner and seductively said to him “This, is better than kissing on the beach!”

Now that is a compliment!!

Family life is busy too. Francia performed in a ballet that culminated in a performance at Nico Malan in Cape Town, Zabeth is doing well with her violin and Catherine has started swimming lessons.

Franchen and I spent a week doing one of our most favourite things in the world – cruising on Harley Davidson’s up the west coast into the Karoo to the Paternoster Harley Davidson Rally. This never fails as a catalyst for inspiration!


The Weather Girl 2008 has been whisked off to the London for the London Mega Tasting on the 13th and 14th of October. This is wonderful as it is considered THE South African Wine Fair in Europe.

We’ll also be at the Johannesburg Winex from the 27th-30th of October and are looking forward to meeting all The Berrio lovers from Jozi there.

For now it’s time to nurture the land. Earth and soil is life. If you look after it – it looks after you. And I have some organic Guano fertilizer that I know this precious land of ours is going to love!