Last Thursday myself and liveeco´s newest team member, Gerry went off to Avondale in Paarl, to experience their eco tour of the winery.
We could not have asked for better weather, after a week of temperature´s soaring in the high 30´s even 40´s out in Paarl, it was overcast and relatively cool (the source of the cloud cover was actually from a fire which has been burning for days in Franschoek, not great for the farmers but at least provided some temporary relief from the sun´s rays). We arrived at the farm early, to avoid the heat, and were met by Avondale´s customer liason officer, Jonathan Cronje, JC, with a glass of their MCC (Methode Cap Classique Brut). We sipped our bubbles on the patio overlooking the vineyards whilst JC gave us a brief introduction to Avondale´s ethos – Terra Est VIta (Soil is Life) and their use of Bio-LOGIC agriculture. (Click here to read more on Bio-LOGIC.)
Once we´d got some background information it was time to hit the “road”. On a farm there is no place for glam, Avondale is no different (which is what makes it special in my view) onto the back of the bakkie we hopped and into the vineyards we drove, making sure to keep one hand on the railings at all times, especially after a few sips of Avondale´s delectable vino!
At Avondale, everything has a purpose and it´s a truly NATURAL farm. As we drove through the vineyards, JC asked us to keep an eye on the ground cover and to notice how it changed naturally (with no human interference – Terra Est Vita) from vine to vine, depending on what nutrients were required by that particular vine. Our first stop was the white blends (see pic below). Here we tasted the Anima Chenin Blanc (my favourite after the MCC) while JC explained the duty of the ducks. The ducks, also pictured below, have a very special job on the farm, they are there to eat the snails. Each morning they are herded onto a trailor and brought to which ever area of the vineyard is in need of some snail extermination. Here they sit happily all day, foraging in the soil for some tasty treats. When their work is done, the tractor hoots its horn and the ducks know it´s home time and waddle themselves back into the trailor to be taken home. To deal with other pests such as rats and snakes, their are owl boxes located all over the farm and the owls apparently do a fantastic job in this regard.
Next up we got to see some of the farm workers finishing up with harvest and to taste the Cyclus, another one of Avondale´s white blends. This was a really special experience for me, as we stood there in amongst the vines and the workers, I really felt like I had been transported back in time into a world long forgotten when things moved at a slower pace and you could taste the soil in the produce (I mean this in a good way). Whilst standing listening to JC speak I also got to hear the farm workers laughing and singing. Avondale is really peaceful, for a farm that is just off the N1, it still manages to be an extremely tranquil, quiet environment. No noisy tractors or spraying vehicles, just the hum of people working and the still of the land in its natural state.
From grape to wine…
After the tour of the vineyards it was time to hit the Tasting Gallery. Here we tasted the Camissa (a rosé), the Syrah and the La Luna (red blends). The interesting thing about these wines is that you really can taste what you are meant to. Often I´ve attended tastings where the winemaker will ask if you can taste the apricot or peach in the blend and you find yourself nodding and saying yes, yes of course when actually you haven´t a clue where he thinks this taste is coming from. But with Avondale I really could taste the various tastes and aromas, especially with the Camissa – you can definitely pick out the distinct taste of Turkish Delight. Of the reds, my fave was the Syrah. I usually find red wines quite heavy and they tend to leave me with a bit of a headache the morning after but this one is deliciously light and JC assures me no Avondale wines leave one with a hangover as these are “happy” wines – mostly this has to do with how they are produced and manufactured, Naturally!
Once the tasting was over we got to see the exquisite wine cellar, stacked from top to bottom with beautiful oak wine vats from France, what a perfect setting it would make for a wedding. It brought to mind images of a monastery, soft lighting and cool.
The wine cellar
All images © liveeco – South African Green Living
It was fascinating to uncover what makes Avondale one of a kind and to know that they really do walk the talk. So if you are looking for a truly natural wine, it has to be Avondale – in more ways than one.
A special thanks to JC for such an educational yet inspiring journey.
Nics
xx
