Recent news and comment from the Parish
First Vintage for Partnership Vineyards
News from Zakkie Bester of Riebeek Cellars
A
few years ago Holy Innocents parishioners donated to a South African Empowerment
Scheme – Partnership Vineyards. The scheme meant that 150 impoverished
black farm labourers could become landowners and wine producers in their own
right, eventually enabling 150 families to break free of the cycle of poverty.
Zakkie Bester is winemaker at Riebeek Cellars in the Western Cape, where they are mentors of the scheme, providing cellar and winemaking facilities at cost price and offering wine education. Last year the scheme received the approval of the South African government when they awarded a bursary of over £280,000.
Zakkie e-mailed recently to let us know that the first ever grapes from Partnership Vineyards were harvested on the 30th January and 1st February 2008. Altogether 63 tons of Sauvignon Blanc were picked and the fruit is described as being ‘of very good quality’.
We await further news of when the wine will be bottled and available to buy.
For more detailed information visit the web-site designed and maintained by parishioner Derryn Coetzee: http://www.partnershipvineyards.com
Andrew and Branwen Jones