Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards
Tulbagh, South Africa
Purchased by the Austin and Scott families in 1999, Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards is located in the Tulbagh valley, Western Cape, South Africa. It is situated on a generally North-West facing slope of a spur of the Witzenberg Mountain Range between Tulbagh and Ceres.
As in many top quality vineyards, the vines are grown strictly to organic principals because we believe that is the only way the vines can truly reflect the character of the soil. Only yeasts naturally occurring in the vineyard are used in fermentation. Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards is very isolated and therefore ideal for organic farming.
The philosophy at Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards is total uncompromising quality and minimal intervention in both the vineyard and the cellar.
The aim is to create exceptional wine in small quantities that gains its character from the environment of the vineyard, the soil, the climate and the growing conditions.
TMV have developed 16 hectares of organic vineyards to date with plans for perhaps 5 more hectares. The vineyard soil drains easily and is mineral rich but low in organic matter making it ideal for restricting vegetative growth and concentrating the vines’ efforts on the fruit.
The vineyard location was chosen on the basis of extensive soil testing and surveying. The upper slopes of the farm, were found to be extensively of the Glenrosa type.
The ground has many undulations allowing different blocks to enjoy a variety of aspects ranging from North-East through to West. There is a dry prevailing wind from the South West and occasionally a fierce Easterly. Frontal systems come from the North West bringing rain and clouds during the cooler months but only very occasionally between December and April.
|
|
Callie Louw
Callie Louw graduated from Stellenbosch University in 2000 with a B.Sc. Oenology. He has worked multiple vintages at Rustenberg Wines as well as Armajaro Estates here in South Africa. Overseas vintages include La Soula in the Roussillon, Chateau des Eyssards in Bergerac, Salitage Winery in Australia, Cakebread Cellars and Callaway Coastal in California and Seresin Estate in Marlborough, New Zealand.
Callie's philosophy is holistic. He believes too many people use a reactive approach to viticulture, treating symptoms rather than causes. His approach is to ensure a healthy vineyard through sustainable ecological balance with minimal external input, which continues with natural yeast fermentation in the cellar. He believes there is no scientific measurement that can tell you the perfect moment to harvest. This critical decision can only be taken by the winemaker standing in the vineyard using taste alone. This overall approach leads to higher reflection of terroir in the grape with higher minerality and lower alcohol in the wine. Callie is ably assisted by John Mbona our ambitious and capable cellar assistant.
|
 |
