It was a great vintage, for me and I can hardly believe it is already May, which means the last 4 months must have been fun, as the time has flown.

The red wines have all been inoculated with Malolactic bacteria which will spend the winter months slowly converting the Malic acid in the wines into Lactic acid. After that is complete, all that’s left for me to do is keep the barrels topped up, as those thieving angels have a taste for fine reds! 

The white and rosé will be protein and cold stabilised in the next couple of months before being bottled, in time for spring when long, lazy, sun drenched lunches demand such wines for refreshment. 

Until then though, save for the odd balmy winter day, it is definitely red wine season. I am extremely excited that this weekend the Elgin Wine Route is being launched and to celebrate the occasion I will be showing off my new Cabernet Sauvignon. It would be great to meet you so come and visit, for more information visit our Facebook page and check out the Elgin Wine Weekend section. 

I really hope you have all enjoyed reading my ramblings as much as I have enjoyed writing them, who knows, I might even be invited back, so watch this space!

Until then, keep those wine glasses full.

Cheers, Sean      

 

Sean Skibbe is a winemaker at South Hill Vineyards in the Elgin Valley. Follow him over the next few weeks as he shares his view on how his 7th vintage is panning out.Visit www.southhill.co.za to find out more about what's happening at the estate.