Hermanuspietersfontein Boerdery

Hermanuspietersfontein Boerdery falls in the Sondagskloof wine ward. The picturesque 320Ha Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI) Champion Farm nestles in a valley between the mountainous area close to Stanford and the Atlantic Ocean.

The terroir of our farm differs and is dedicated to delivering a unique style and blend of its own. The westerly slopes are more suited to the Bordeaux cultivars Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon blanc and Semillon, while the easterly slopes favour the cultivation of Rhône cultivars such as Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Viognier.

Due to elevation our vineyards benefit from the cool Atlantic Ocean breezes creating a unique micro-climate that plays a major role in developing the character of our wines.

Our farm lies in the winter rainfall region enjoying the occasional summer showers from the south-east. The prevailing south-easterly summer winds and the 187 – 332m elevation above sea level make this pocket about 2°C cooler than the adjacent area. The average annual rainfall here is 650 mm per annum. Soils vary from weathered shale to granite and a gravel top soil with a clay based sub-soil.

The farm is a haven for a variety of fauna, the most exciting being leopard, evidenced by spotted spoor. Duiker, reebok, cerval and baboon freely roam the land.

Unplanted slopes are covered in fynbos and large tracts of land have been left in their pristine state. Great effort has gone into clearing the entire farm of invasive alien species.

Hermanuspietersfontein Boerdery joined the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI) in 2007. The BWI’s chief goal is to limit 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.

We adhere to the biodiversity guidelines, conserve our ecosystems and fully subscribe to the BWI values and vision in our wine growing experience.

From the outset we have adhered to sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices in order to preserve and support the rich biodiversity of the area and conserve our ecosystems.

Natural corridors: Vineyard blocks were planned around fynbos corridors which created pathways connecting various biomes and facilitating free movement of animals and birds between the various ecosystems on the farm.

Earthworms: Tilling by earthworms, presents our vineyards with the valuable underground benefits of air, moisture, bacteria and soil-conditioning materials.

Ducks: Our kept flock of ducks performs the all-important role of biological snail control.

Good earth
makes better wine

The very dark colour and high organic content of the farm’s top soil comes from centuries of decomposition of fynbos, resulting in the herbal (black olive) characteristics of all our red wines.

Our vineyards are planted on virgin soils. Roots draw most of their nutrients from the mother material of shale and granite which provide the mineral characteristics typical of our white wines.

Fynbos
The farm’s extensive unplanted slopes are covered in pristine fynbos and large tracts of land are being conserved in their natural state.

Farm management focuses on the five natural corridors which link the pristine fynbos areas with the wetlands, dams and other plant communities, enhancing the unique biodiversity of the farm.

The farm is a haven for birdlife and fauna, mutualism being the key to a sustainable environment. Our holistic approach supports the integrity of the Cape Floral Kingdom.

Our vines are trained on a spurred cordon, 6-wire fence training system.

Climate and Rainfall
Aspect and elevation ensure that our vineyards benefit from the cool Atlantic Ocean breeze which creates a unique micro-climate, influencing the character of our wines.

Winter rainfall and the occasional summer showers result in an average rainfall of 650mm per annum. The combination of the prevailing south-easterly summer winds and 187 – 332m elevation above sea level renders this pocket some 2°C cooler than the rest of the Walker Bay Wine District.

The varied soil compositions on the farm create favourable conditions for growing different cultivars.

Soil
The distinct soil compositions of the Western slopes are more suited to the Bordeaux cultivars (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot) as well as Sauvignon blanc and Semillon. Soil compositions of the easterly slopes are mostly favourable for the cultivation of Rhône cultivars (Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Viognier).

Sauvignon blanc
Varies between sedimentary sand loam on low clay to deeper weathered sandstone with high organic content on deeper dark to yellow clay. Well-drained soils with good water retention.

Bordeaux cultivars:
Consists of parts of yellow, fine sand loam topsoil with deeper laying clay. Varies between sedimentary sand loam on low clay to deeper weathered sandstone with high organic content on deeper dark to yellow clay. Well-drained soils with good water retention.

Rhône cultivars:
Highly bleached soils on deeper laying clay (±5%) and yellow rocky, coarse sandy soils on partially weathered sandstone. Deeper soils allow for better root development. Soils have developed mostly out of sandstone although some harder quartz is also present.

Harvest Season
Our harvesting season runs from early February to the end of March.

Nouvelle (week 6)
Sauvignon Blanc (week 7-9)
Semillon (week 9)
Malbec & Merlot (week 10)
Shiraz, Grenache & Viognier (week 10)
Cabernet Franc (week 11)
Mourvèdre & Cabernet Sauvignon (week 12)
Petit Verdot (week 13)

Our Winemaking Ethos
Picking generally takes place early morning. Grapes are hand-picked and carefully packed into shallow trays; refrigerated on the farm; transported to the cellar on the same afternoon; and chilled overnight. This careful treatment preserves the berry juices until ready for crushing.

Grapes are hand-selected and graded twice. In our 350 ton gravitation cellar we focus on a minimum handling approach.

Hermanuspietersfontein Boerdery belongs to Johan and Mariëtte Pretorius.

Coordinates:
S34°27,774'   E019°39,341'

Tastings:

There are no tasting facilities on the farm. Please visit our Cellar and Tasting Room, Hemel en Aards Shopping Village, Hermanus