HARVEST KICKS OFF NEW WINE ERA

With a decrease of 30% in the crop estimates experienced in some of South Africa’s wine areas, the industry is now thirstily looking towards the Oranjerivier wine region which this year had an exceptional vintage.

According to Mr Matthee van Schalkwyk, head of production at Oranjerivier Wine Cellars, 2010 has been an excellent year for the five wine cellars along the Orange River in the Upington area.

“In total 157 297 tons of grapes were harvested and in the five catchment areas we received very healthy grapes,” Van Schalkwyk said. “In fact, the crop could even have been larger if our cellars in the area east of Upington were not hampered by rain.”

The five cellars of Oranjerivier Wine Cellars are located at Kakamas, Keimoes, Upington, Grootdrink and Groblershoop.

Van Schalkwyk, who has been with Oranjerivier Wine Cellars since 1968, is of the opinion that although healthy volumes are needed for the maintenance of a sustainable wine industry in the region, ensuring good quality grapes and making fine wine has become increasingly important in the Orange River’s wine region.

“The quality of the grapes and wines are improving each year,” he said. “One of the main reasons for this is the fact that that Oranjerivier Wine Cellars now employs six full-time viticulturists to assist wine-farmers regarding the improvement of quality, as well as identifying new areas where new and different grape varieties can be planted.”

Although the cultivars Chenin Blanc and Colombard are still the mainstays of the area’s wine industry, varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Pinotage have become increasingly popular under the Oranjerivier label.

Apart from bottling wines for its own label, Oranjerivier Wine Cellars also supplies wine to various of the country’s large local wine brands. And with the failure of this year’s crops to supply volumes needed in other wine areas, a large percentage of Oranjerivier’s bulk wines has already been sold. This year Oranjerivier Wine Cellars produced eight million litres more fine wine than it did last year.

Concerning wine produced under the Oranjerivier label, the cellar is on the brink of a new era in which it aims to play a greater role in the South African wine market.

Koos Visser, marketing manager of Oranjerivier Wine Cellars, says: “We have invested in market research which has given us insight into the needs of the consumer,” he said. “New packaging has been designed, a few new wine styles developed and within a few weeks the consumer be able to see and taste the new Orange River Wine Cellar label personally.”

Apart from the local market, Oranjerivier Wine Cellars also exports wine to America, Europa and the Far East.