Hartenberg Estate – Varietal wines from South Africa

Video courtesy of Winefilms

Hartenberg Estate’s 99 hectares of vineyard comprise a total of nine different soil types and many different aspects and microclimates.

This demands that site specific planting be fully researched so as to determine the suitability of the match between the respective varietal and its planting site. Only in 2008 will all the vineyards be fully planted which means that in 15 years a total of 59 hectares of the Estate will have been replanted to varietals which thrive on their site- specific location. The ongoing planting program has focussed on past strengths and early results have shown that the new vineyards, although young, are adding an extra dimension to the Estate’s wines.

The six site-specific varietals that have been planted, Sauvignon Blanc, Rhine Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinotage, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are the backbone of Hartenberg’s future. So as to protect the vines in years with significant heat peaks and the resulting drought conditions, all vineyards that are part of the re-planting program have drip irrigation lines. Their presence means that vine stress can be minimised as a result of judicious application of water.