Wine in SA
The First Elephant Grape Crusher
The Boplaas Winery in South Africa has welcomed a new member: elephant Harry, who helps to crush the wine grapes.
The idea of letting an elephant help on the winery was born over a glass of wine, when the winery owner Carel Nel wondered why has no one ever let the hard work of crushing the grapes to an elephant. There was Ian Withers, owner of the Knysna elephant park, at the same table, who took it from there and very soon Harry was standing before a trough of grapes to crush.
„Harry has been around humans for so long that he responds to our requests very readily,“ says Ian. „He totally understands 'foot up, foot forward and foot down' because we have to check his feet every day.“
Harry has shown a great talent for his new task right from the start. He had no trouble understanding what he’s supposed to do, but he still does not understand why the people do not eat the grapes right away in the first place.
With 3.5 tons and 2 feet wide feet, Harry really has no troubles crushing the grapes, so the winers are content that their feet get to rest. The owner of the Knysna elephant park hopes that the event attracts attention to the elephant conservation.
The wines special edition Boplass Elephant has been a huge success: „Judging by the success of this year we will definitely be making this a yearly thing.“
Wine in SA 01/04/2010
Breedekloof
The Breedekloof lies about an hour North-East of Cape Town through the spectacular Du Toitskloof Mountains.
Wine in SA 09/30/2009
Stellenbosch
Wine lovers -both local and overseas – consider it an essential visit and it attracts about 50% of all foreign visitors to our shores.
Wine in SA 08/03/2009
Luvo Ntezo
Seven years ago a young black man from Kwazulu-Natal, came to the Cape to seek his fortune. He started working as a pool porter at Steenberg Hotel in Constantia.
Wine in SA 06/16/2009
350 years of cape winery
During 2009, the year celebrating 350years of Cape Wine, many producers are delving into their precious museum stocks of wines to host retrospective tastings.
Wine in SA 01/03/2009
Vintage 2008
Although vintages differ in South Africa vintage variance is not as pronounced as in European vineyards situated at the outer limits of grape growing. The 2008 growing season was conducive to growing excellent quality fruit.
Wine in SA 12/23/2008
African winter is czech summer
From our Czech /European point of view is the South African wine from country below the equator which means african winter is czech summer and vice versa.
Wine in SA 10/12/2008
Winemaster Elsie
I was born and bred in the beautiful Coastal town of Knysna in the Western Cape. I have worn many hats over the years – I’ve been a professional musician, a teacher, and (since the early nineties) I’ve made wine my full-time occupation.
Wine in SA 10/12/2008
Wine PHANT
The Phant wines are similar to the other HOW selling overseas but the taste profile has heightened for our European consumers.
Wine in SA 10/12/2008
The most popular varieties in South Africa
The most popular wines in South Africa are Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Wine in SA 10/12/2008
Secret of varietal wines
Is the varietal wine 100% pure variety or is in South Africa are other grapes mixed in?
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