Newsletter November 2009
No! Don't fall off your seat. It's true. We Luddites have actually increased our electronic newsletters from once a year to twice a year. Who knows, you may even find us Tweeting soon.
 
This year, like the crushing of the harvest, has been somewhat "icky". Well, perhaps challenging would be a more fitting word. Of course the year could only get better with the making of our wine - from start to finish - right here on Luddite for the first time.

This year, every grape came from Bot River, including all of our own! It has been the most rewarding experience we've had yet.

 

Added to that, the past few months have been filled with several other "spirit-lifters" that have done much to inspire us and keep us from hiding under our beds.
  • The release of the 2006 vintage. (Use the form at the bottom of this newsletter to ensure you get your fair share.)
  • The Bot River Barrel Race was held on the 31st of October and we think it was the best one ever. Everyone had a huge amount of fun.  Kim and his mates won the kids' section with a better time even than Niels'.  If you missed the race this year, join the Bot River Wines Facebook group to be sure you don't miss it in 2010.

    If you think the headband is bad - take a look at Murray's outfit.

  • Our FIGJAM (aka F*&%! I’m Gorgeous Just Ask Me) Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, the last in the Kim Trilogy, fetched an average R450 a bottle at the Cape Winemakers' Guild auction in October.
  • We've been doing Blend & Bottle sessions with corporates as a team-building exercise for TriActive events. This is loads of fun and the end-products are none too shabby either! 
  • Niels has been doing vertical tastings in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and is off to do the same in Holland, London and Germany. This has been quite a spectacular experience, particularly for the winemaker himself, tasting all the Luddite vintages from 2000 through to 2007.

  • We have been certified IPW compliant. This is a new certification system that is run by the Wine and Spirit Board for sustainable, environmentally-friendly wine production. As of the 2010 harvest year there will be a new seal for those who comply with both WO and IPW requirements.
  • There are loads of piggies on the farm. We had 27 at one point but are down to about 23 now as Penny sent the others off to Richard Bosman to make another batch of delectable cured meats. Truly fantastic bacon and bangers are a new addition this year, and Coppa has been added to the Luddite cured-meat-collection. You can buy these directly from us at the farm.
  • We're also thrilled to let you know that marvelous Melissa Nelsen has taken on the sales of Luddite, and, with her pilot-punctuality and fastidiousness,  we're already wondering whether we've made enough wine.

So, we'll be harvesting in February next year and our annual No Bull day will be on the 2nd of January. Until then we'll be dealing with the end of the school year and all that comes with it, before enjoying summer and Christmas at home.

Please pop in and visit us - especially if you haven't seen the tasting room -  it has the most expensive floor in the world! If we don't get to see you, enjoy the silly season!

CHEERS
Niels, Penny and the kids



 P.S.  We have magnums (2006) in wooden boxes for R500 that'll make any Luddite-lovers Christmas, not to mention our cases of six standard bottles (2005 & 2006), also in wooden boxes, for R250 per bottle.