Regional info.

8 year old vineyards from their Robertson estate. The Robertson Wine Valley is situated about 175km from Cape Town and is located in the demarcated Wine of Origin "district" Robertson. Altitude is approx. 181m. In the central part of the valley, alongside the Breede River the landscape is reasonably 'flat' and terroir is mainly determined by difference in soil type, as the meso-climate and aspect in this part of the valley are very similar. Towards the foothills of the Langeberg and Sonderend mountain ranges, the landscape changes to that of rolling hills. In these areas a vast number of different terroirs can be found, which are influenced by differences in soil type, aspect and therefore also difference in meso-climate.

The annual rainfall in the Robertson Wine Valley is approximately 260 mm per annum of which ± 70 % falls during winter. This rain is not enough and therefore additional irrigation is necessary for growing wine grapes.

Dubbed the 'valley of vines and roses', the Robertson district's lime-rich soils make the area eminently suitable for racehorse stud farming and also, of course, winegrowing. Situated in the Breede River valley, the river is the lifeblood of this lower rainfall region. Although summer temperatures can be high, cooling south-easterly winds channel moisture-laden air into the valley.

Robertson is renowned for the quality of its wines and while traditionally considered white wine territory and known mainly for its Chardonnays and more recently for the quality of its Sauvignon Blanc, it is also the source of some of the Cape's finest red wines, particularly Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, while the distinctive fortified dessert wines for which it was originally famed continue to be produced. The district of Robertson incorporates several wards, including Bonnievale.

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