December 2010 Newsletter

02-Dec-2010

Here we are at the end of another year. It seems that although it has been a particularly challenging one for many of us, it has been equally successful. It is good to speak to people at this time of year and hear the hope and positivity they have for 2011 despite being a bit worn out from all their hard work. At The Berrio we’re delighted to be ending 2010 off on a high note.

At The Berrio we’re delighted to be ending 2010 off on a high note.

The Berrio Stars

The Berrio Sauvignon Blanc 2009 received 5 stars for the 2011 John Platter Guide at the launch of the guide on the 16th of November. The Weathergirl 2009 received 4 ½ platter stars, just missing the 5 she scored last year. (We have both in stock!)

South African wines are truly coming in to their own. 58 seemed to be the magic number this year for the Platter Guide this year. A total of 6 000 local wines were reviewed, there are 58 newcomers and 58 wines received 5 platter stars.

We recently attended the Johannesburg Winex which went very well. There were less exhibitors than last year but a lot more people visiting and their shop@show concept really works well. We made excellent new trade contacts and were thrilled to be able to introduce Jo’burg wine lovers to our wines. We enjoyed some fabulous meals while we were there – delectable pastas at La Campangola and lekker pizzas from Luca's.

Our girls have been performing like stars too. Zabeth passed her piano exams with Cum Laude, as did Francia for her ballet. We’re very proud.

Suckering - a winemakers dream

We’ve also had the opportunity to sucker our vines twice in the last month or two which is a winemakers dream as it enables us to fine-tune the growth of the vines which results in better quality fruit and thus better quality wine.

Find out more about this part of the wine making process.

The Importance of Terroir

We’re also finding the developments of the The Nuwejaars Wetland Special Management Area (SMA) projects particularly rewarding (and that’s not just because we’re thrilled with our new Solar panels!). This project 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.

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

Engage and enjoy!

Part of the SMA project is the development of tourism activities that complement our objective of engaging in the rehabilitation, conservation and protection of our environment.

These activities, like a good Elim wine, are exciting and unusual.

How does a guided buffalo tour or hippo viewing sound?

These activities are packaged with excellent meals, wine tasting and self-catering accommodation on the farms that are a part of the initiative.

They’re an ideal way for you to engage and enjoy this wonderful place where The Berrio wines are created.

Find out more about these activities

Salmon Mousse

Summer is just about here and Franchen’s Salmon Mousse with a glass or two of the Weathergirl 2009 is an extremely tasty, light and cool lunch, perfect for a hot summer’s day. Enjoy!

“Sail into dawn on a billowing smile”

We're delighted with the number of enquiries we've had for holding end of year functions at our tasting room and are looking forward to hosting these celebrations for The Berrio wine lovers. It's great to see that there are so many people interested in holding functions like this at wine farms.

So, we at The Berrio, are most definitely sailing into the dawn of a new year on a “billowing smile”. We hope that you are too!

We’ve put together a delicious platter for our holiday visitors. Take a look at what’s on it and we’re certain your taste buds will lead you to The Berrio if you’re in the Cape this summer. You must also stop in at places we’ve listed as ‘must-sees’ in our region along the way.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Francis, Franchen and all at The Berrio wines.

If you’re not in the area you’ll find our wines at these restaurants and stockists – or you can buy directly from us at our cellar door prices.

---