2009 HARVEST REPORT

General
Boland Cellar’s 2009 harvest started on a very important historical date, the 2nd February 2009, exactly 350 years after Jan van Riebeek harvested his first grapes at the Cape of Good Hope. The harvest started at a very high tempo and kept the pace for the full duration of the 21,853 tonnes that were harvested.

Numerous records were set throughout the harvest:
• The most loads yet were received on one day at Northern Paarl  Cellar - 135 loads (128 loads in 2004 and 2007).
• The least amount of loads on one day - 1 load (on the last day at Northern Paarl).
• The highest grape tonnage on one day at Northern Paarl, 816 tonnes (previous record 730 tonnes – 2008). This record was again broken a week later with 875 tonnes of grapes on one day.
• The total daily intake of grapes was broken when we took in 1,202 tonnes of grapes spread over the two cellars (previous record 1,131 tonnes – 2008). The previous record was broken four times over a period of two weeks during the 2009 harvest.
• We had the shortest harvest period yet, at 30 days (previous shortest was 35 days in 2002 with a crop size of 13,200 tonnes).
• Daljosafat Cellar received the most grapes in one year, 7,914 tonnes as opposed to the previous highest tonnage of 7,506 tonnes in 2008.
• Daljosafat also received the most tonnes on one day, 460 tonnes as opposed to the previous record of 394 tonnes on one day in 2008. This previous record was broken 4 times over a period of two weeks.

The biggest single factor that contributed to the higher peaks of grape intake was the fact that red and white grape varieties ripened on or close to the same time. The best explanation for that is because of the fact that the red wine crop was much smaller than normal and red grapes could thus ripen faster than normal.

A further factor contributing towards the higher rate of intake is the increasing amount of grapes being harvested by machines, which goes quicker than hand harvesting.

Flow of the 2009 grape intake
The intake of grapes at the cellar ran smoothly and only a few small breakages of machinery created stoppages for short periods. The winemakers had to know their jobs to take the grapes in over such a short period of time without dropping a ball. They did a great job and the experience of the team showed clearly.

Great teamwork from producers made the job of the winemakers much easier and contributed to the smooth flow of grape intake.

Wine Quality
All wines have been tasted and graded and there is a bigger portion of high quality wines than in other vintages. The 2009 vintage will probably long be known for its outstanding quality wines. All varieties show well and there is great enthusiasm in the cellar about the 2009 wines.

The cool climatic run-up to the 2009 harvest played a big role in the fact that the wines show such good quality. The white wines show wonderful fruity flavours, good length and great balance, while the red wines show good fruit, length, intense colour and great structure.

JURIE GERMISHUYS
PRODUCTION MANAGER