We have just finished bottling the wines for our new soon to be launched Edenhof label – should be available towards the end of July and the cellar is now quietening down for the winter period.

Sales of our new Schalkenbosch Methode Cap Classique are flying and only half of the 2000 bottles produced are still available. Order through our contact form on the website or call us and we will arrange a delivery for you. They are packed in cases of six bottles at a launch price of R600 per case!

The cottages are warm and cosy and an ideal place to chill with a bottle of red wine in front of the fire far away from the madding crowd. Come and visit us and discover the best kept secret of the wonderful Cape Winter days!

Check us out on Google Street view – Oscar our trusty ridgeback refused not to be in the pics!

Back in November last year we posted some images on Facebook of the Google Street View car mapping our vineyards, pictured in the image blow.

Google Streetview car in Scaklenbosch vineyards

This mapping data is now going live in Google Maps and Google Earth. Please take a look around and check back regularly as Google adds more maps and begins to include the vineyards.

Come celebrate our Winter Wonderland Christmas festival, book now to avoid disappointment, call reservations on 023 230 0654.

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

Region: Tulbagh

Varietal: Red

Winemaker: Johan Delport

Medium bodied blend of four unique cultivars. Taste of a medley of red fruits and spices, soft tannins with a lasting taste.

Purchase Online from: Cybercellar

Schalkenbosch Stratus is our first Wine to carry labeling that recognizes our Championship status by the Biodiversity in Wine Initiative, joining 14 other Estates in South Africa, such as Anglo American’s Vergelegen, Graham Beck, Backsberg, La Motte and Lourensford.

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.

Schalkenbosch BWI Listing

Biodiversity in Wine Champion.

We are proud to announce that Schalkenbosch Wine Estate has been awarded Championship status by the Biodiversity in Wine Initiative, joining 14 other Estates in South Africa, such as Anglo American’s Vergelegen, Graham Beck, Backsberg, La Motte and Lourensford.

The initiative, which is supported by the WWF, presented the award in recognition of our commitment to conservation, good management and production practices.

The Western Cape winelands are home to more plant species than exist in the entire Northern Hemisphere. More especially, 70% of these plants are only found here and nowhere else in the world.
The world’s smallest yet richest plant kingdom is found in the Western Cape, the Cape Floral Kingdom and is recognised as a world Heritage site

A visit to Schalkenbosch in the months of July through September exposes the visitor to a number of rare species occurring in their natural habitat, including 6 almost extinct varieties. The research team from Kirstenbosch believe that others will be found when a more detailed study is undertaken.

Schalkenbosch has a strong environmental and social responsibility. We have placed 1000 ha under permanent stewardship of Cape Nature, ensuring that this land will be preserved for generations to come. An extensive programme for the rehabilitation of old lands and the eradication of alien plant species and centuries of erosion is the foundation on which this commitment rests.

In addition to this programme we have committed to the establishment of 25 emerging farmers. These farmers come from the previously disadvantaged community and comprise mainly of former farm labourers. They will receive mentorship and support from Schalkenbosch and will take ownership of their own piece of land, free of charge, in due course.
Every bottle of wine sold helps to contribute to these worthy programmes and to the upliftment of the indigenous peoples.

Schalkenbosch also has plans to reintroduce those species of animals which originally occurred in this area. This will supplement those animals that already occur naturally such as Leopard Lynx, Jackal, Grey(mountain) Reebok and many other small antelope.

Look for the Sugar bird sticker on our wines and know that each bottle you drink is actually helping the preservation of flora, fauna and the previously disadvantaged citizens of South Africa.

Click here to view our Biodiversity Photo Gallery

The origins of Bin 409

We are often asked this question. The unusual name came about as a dedication to the airmen of all nations who lost their lives in the last Great war. A tribute to all fallen aviators no matter their country, race or creed. My father, who was killed before I was born, was a pilot of Mosquito night fighters operating from France in the closing stages of World war Two. He was well known and considered a hero by many. Years later I had the privilege to take my family to France where a monument had been erected in his honour in the village of Willems. The dedication ceremony on the 23rd May 1997 was lead by the Vice President of France, other dignitaries and the Military attaches and senior officers of several countries. It was an extraordinary and moving experience as we met many of his wartime buddies as well as many of the local people who had known him.

We heard many interesting stories of how these young men lived and risked their lives daily. One of their main tasks was at night, to climb to a high altitude over the coast of France and watch for the exhaust flame of the V1 and V2 rockets that were being fired at London. Once spotted they needed the altitude to create the necessary speed in the dive to close on these jet engined bombs and shoot them down. On some of these missions they would run out of ammunition and then, without concern for their own safety, would dive and try and tip the rocket off balance with their own wing tip. This dangerous practice resulted in the toppling of the primitive gyro navigation system, allowing the bomb to fall harmlessly in the Channel. The Mosquito aircraft was well suited to this role being almost entirely of wood construction and powered by twin Rolls Royce Merlin engines.

As a former pilot myself and having served as an officer in the Rhodesian bush war I felt it appropriate to recognise the sacrifices of so many young men and in particular my father’s 409 squadron, Royal Canadian Air force.
The Bin 409 wine is made each year from a blend of Shiraz, Grenache, Mouverdre and viognier, all grown on the Schalkenbosch estate in Tulbagh. It seeks to emulate the style of the Southern Rhone in France and the percentages of each varietal may vary each year depending on harvest and growing conditions. Bin 409 is a complex wine with perfume, good colour and plenty of fruit. It spends 14 months in French and American oak, new and second and third fill barrels.
Winter 2009.

The cold weather has finally arrived, the vines have lost their leaves and are now dormant. This allows the teams to commence pruning, a long and arduous task which must be carried out by skilled workers. We have had good rains so far and the season’s first snow falls, appropriately over the last weekend when Tulbagh held its annual Christmas in winter festival. This event sees Santa Claus riding on a fire engine handing out sweets to all the children. The village is decked out in fairy lights with street stalls, music, wine, olives, and Christmas fare at all the restaurants, providing a festive atmosphere and fun for all.

We have just finished bottling the 2009 whites and are pleased to tell you that this year’s Sauvignon Blanc is loaded with fruit and surprisingly green notes, a really crisp and balanced wine for a hot Summer’s day, although I am now quite fond of drinking it at any time. We have also bottled an unwooded Chardonnay for the first time. We tried to make it in the North Italian style and again it has been a pleasant surprise with good fruit which has not been overpowered by wood, remaining a light pleasant white to drink.
For the Rusty fans.

The old dog continues to impress even though he can not quite clear the side of the Bakkie as athletically as he used to and has to suffer the indignity of us lowering the tailgate while Oscar, the young upstart, clears the side with ease. But once aboard the old man takes pride of place and makes sure the youngster knows who is ‘top dog’. Oscar is learning fast and is developing a nice character of his own.

Wishing all our friends and customers in the northern hemisphere a very happy summer filled with good weather and lots of Edenhof wine.

This year’s Sauvignion Blanc has developed surprising characteristics with a greenness noticeable on the nose and the palate, most unusal for a warm climate sauvignon and very pleasing with a balanced acidity that gives a very fresh and lively taste.

We have made an unwooded Chardonnay for the first time in a fashion that attempts to emulate some of the style of North Italian Chardonnays, with good varietal character while remaining fruity, fresh and dry, without the overbearing use of wood.

Viognier, one of my favourites, is again showing signs of fresh apricot and peach, this dry wine is starting to show the character of the vineyard or terroir and we expect it to develop as the vines age, showing a more serious character and less of the exuberance of youth.

The 2009 Blanc de Blanc has been made in the style of the past few years, fruity, fresh and dry, a pleasing blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin, Muscat and a touch of Viognier.

This year’s harvest of reds is still undergoing malolactic fermentation and causing the winemaker, Suzanne Miller pictured above, the usual headaches as the season drifts into the winter’s lower temperatures. First indications are for a lower alcohol with good colour, structure and body.

We have just bottled the first wine under the Schalkenbosch label. A 2006 southern Rhone style wine made from Shiraz, Grenache, Mouverdre, Cinsaut and Viognier. The wine spent 18 months in new and 2nd fill French and American oak before being transferred to older barrels to mature. This is a really good wine with full body, dense colour and a complex structure. The nose is very appealing and it is clear that we did not make enough of this big, fruity wine. Only 2200 bottles will be released in June. This maiden vintage will sell out very quickly and “Schalkenbosch Stratus” will only be available in years where it can match or better the 2006 vintage.

Speaking of winemakers headaches, the Baboon population were a real problem this year and still managed to do damage to the crop in spite of us having people patrolling the vineyards. They are clever enough to know when it is knock off time and how to get up earlier than the workforce. Baboons are really destructive, as they break off a bunch, take one bite, then throw the remainder away before moving on to the next. In desperation, we set a cage trap, which does not harm them, in order to try and capture and relocate them. The trap works on a simple trigger plate which the baboon must cross to get to the food, once triggered the door slams down and the Baboon must sit and wait until he is released. So far, this has not proved very effective but the cage did cause some excitement. I arrived at the trap early one morning to find a really annoyed large male porcupine. He didn’t understand that I was trying to help him get out and kept charging at me, tail first. Even though there was strong wire netting between us, it took quite a while to get the door open and let him out. He scuttled off somewhat imperiously, rattling his quills as he went. Some of the quills he left behind were a good half metre in length. I have not seen such a big and handsome specimen before. The porcupine’s tactic is to present his backside full of quills and rush backwards at a predator which is enough to put off any but the most hungry or the most stupid. In the wild a quill can inflict serious injury which often becomes infected and larger animals have been known to die as a result.

The leopard population have also been active recently and the spoor of large male was seen 50m from the manor house, two days ago. These beautiful creatures are mainly nocturnal and there are several pairs living in the mountains behind the house and evidence of their presence is seen often. They appear to be rearing young families as the spoor of the cubs walking with their mother is also evident.

We were pleased to see our two Secretary birds back on the farm this month, these large and serious looking birds stride through the fields looking for snakes and rodents and are quite rare in this part of the country. In past seasons they have nested here and we hope they will do so again this year.

We have had the first rains of the season with a fall of 60mm being recorded last Saturday, they bring a freshness to the valley and evidence of new growth and life is everywhere. The cattle have started calving just in time to benefit from the new food supply, but elsewhere, trees are losing their leaves and the vines are almost dormant, waiting for the winter’s pruning.

For those of you who know Rusty the Ridgeback – more popular than his owners with the farm’s guests – he is well, though showing signs of age (like his owner) and getting a bit windy (not like his owner!). He still has a problem with Nelson, one of the gardeners whom he often chases, but he is not quite as dedicated as he used to be and soon retires to a shady spot after a couple of barks, growls and a few mock charges.

With warm wishes to all our friends!
Jill, Peter, Suzanne and Rusty

Artist Impression of the planned 27 hole Schalkenbosch Golf Course, to be designed by Robert Trent Jones II.

Robert Trent  Jones, Jr. (born July 24, 1939 in Montclair, New Jersey) is a noted golf course architect. He is the son of legendary golf course designer Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and the brother of golf course designer Rees Jones.

After attending Yale and graduate studies at Stanford University, he joined his father’s firm, Robert Trent Jones Incorporated. He rose to become vice-president of the company and assumed control of west coast operations in 1962.

In the 1960s, he began designing courses on his own and formed his own company, Robert Trent Jones II, in the early 1970s in Palo Alto, California. He has designed or remodeled more than 200 golf courses during his career.

Jones continues to design courses and currently resides in Woodside, California. He has also served as the president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and has published a book on entitled Golf by Design designed to help players understand golf course layout .

Schalkenbosch wines are crafted from carefully selected, hand picked and sorted grapes which are vinified in the cellar behind the main house.

Biodiversity highlights: Area conserved – 850ha.
The estate has some of the last remaining fragments of Breede Shale Renosterveld, a critically endangered vegetation type. Three rare and endangered bulb species (seen in photo above) were discovered by the Custodians for Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW) project team. A further 600ha is in the process of being added to the area under conservation.

Botanical field work was conducted on the estate in 2005 by the CREW (Custodians of Rare & Endangered Wildflowers) project team, who made the exciting discovery of three rare and endangered bulb species.