Wild Plum Syrah

Beef, Lamb, Poultry, Game (deer, venison)

Few black farmers own vineyards in South Africa. The capital required to make even the most modest start is out of reach for the vast majority. A child of farm work, Arleen van Wyk rented a small piece of township land to make a start with vegetable growing. With the assistance of Google, she taught herself how to care for plants and make a living for her family as a market gardener. A kindly loan from her elderly landlord allowed her to buy the property and commence the long-term project of vineyard establishment. Between the winemaking towns of Durbanville and Malmesbury, the small-holding village of Mikpunt in the heart of the Swartland is home to the Wild Plum block. The vineyard has clay-rich soils that have brought international recognition to the Syrah variety.

After bunch cooling and grape sorting and a combination of grape skin breaking by a small de-stemmer and foot maceration in an open bin, the mash was allowed to warm and fermentation to start up. Multiple punch downs kept the grape skins moist. When the process was complete the mash was squeezed to separate the solid material and the new wine was moved to a single barrel, where it remained for 24 months.

This empowerment project has a long-term aim, bringing vineyard ownership to residents of Cape Town’s Townships through school-owned premium vineyards. In the shorter term, selected rows of vines in blocks close to the Ocean (and the townships) provide the fruit for current ranges. The proceeds of this wine will support the entrance to tertiary education for a needy child, one who would otherwise be denied.