Nailing down Paardeberg terroir

In an attempt to nail down terroir on the Paardeberg and see off cultural carpetbaggers from other appellations (and the media) who are cynically perverting this jewel of the Swartland, the five farms in the Siebritskloof Valley formed a Producers Association last night.

Pieter Euvrard, Adi Badenhorst and Barry Schreiber

Pieter Euvrard, Adi Badenhorst and Barry Schreiber

Adi Badenhorst was elected chairman with Pieter Euvrard his deputy while Barry Schreiber was voted secretary. After inspecting Pieter’s feijoa (pineapple guava) tree and Stella’s four new puppies, the newly formed association tasted Pieter’s Orangerie 2009 white blend of Chenin, Viognier and Chardonnay. The wine is rich with exotic apricot, orange and feijoa flavours and is available for R114 (including VAT) a bottle from Pieter (082 586 4079).

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Orangerie was proclaimed by Willem Adriaan van der Stel in 1707, making it the oldest farm on the northern side of the Paardeberg. If the Siebritskloof can produce wines like this, you’ll be hearing a lot more from the Siebritskloof Producers Association.

Declaration: the author farms in the Siebritskloof Valley and is a member of the Siebritskloof Producers Association.