Schalkenbosch Wine Estate: Tulbagh

Dear Friends of Schalkenbosch.

It has been a dry winter although the dams are all full. The vines, pruned down to the first wire, have been dormant during the cold period, are now starting to bud and the leaves are a brilliant green heralding our spring. Last year’s harvest is all safely in tanks or barrels and the results appear promising. We have just bottled most of the 2009 early drinking reds and the Isis dry red is a lovely soft wine , a complex blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Mouverdre, Cabernet Franc and Petit verdot.

Unfortunately, Suzanne Miller, the wine maker, left us to get married but still lives in the valley with her husband Stefan who is the winemaker for Manleys, she will continue to lend a hand if we need her. We welcome Giellie Beukes from La Motte as her replacement and hope he will be with us for many years to come.

We are looking forward to the arrival of a Swedish Group visiting us for a week at the end of the month and also to a local Gourmet Wine Tasting and Cycling Group. Tulbagh will host the start of the 2011 Epic cycle race (The second largest cycle race after the Tour de France) which will bring a lot of visitors and publicity for the valley

The cottages have been busy through the winter as Tulbagh now has five venues for country weddings and many of the guests stay on to enjoy the nature and wines in our valley. The valley is also becoming a popular destination for overseas couples wishing to tie the knot.

With the imminent arrival of summer we are looking forward to the return of our many faithful friends who visit us from overseas each year – the Christmas period on the farm would not be the same without them.

After a long and at times, very frustrating period, we now are proud to announce that we have the “go ahead” to start with two of the three developments planned for Schalkenbosch. We have commenced construction of an impressive gatehouse for the Conservation Estate through which you will pass when you come to visit us again. This will control access to both the conservation estate up in the mountains and Schalkenbosch Cottages and Cellar.

The Edenhof Conservation Estate comprises 46 exclusive plots with panoramic views of the mountains, valley and vineyards. The first animals to be re introduced, a herd of Zebra will arrive later this month. A print or email brochure will be available for anyone interested in receiving details of this fantastic investment opportunity in their unique piece of Africa. The official launch of this estate is planned for 4 December 2010 and will be attended by many dignatories including the Mayor of the Witzenberg Municipality.

We have also made a start on the roads and services for the Edenhof Lifestyle Village which will comprise 103 plots with beautiful views of the surrounding valley and mountains and will provide a secure “lock up and go” country lifestyle, closer to Tulbagh village and adjacent to the Wolseley Road allowing quick and easy access to the major arterial routes.

There has been extensive interest in these two estates and we expect the properties to be quickly snapped up.

We still await approval from one of the National Government Departments for the proposed golf course but believe this will not be too far away.

To those of our friends who cannot make the trip this year and to all our valued customers and friends we wish you peace and joy over the festive season

With best wishes
Jill, Peter, Rusty and Oscar