Robertson
This is the valley’s leading area for high quality wines, with its sandy, lime-rich soils, morning mists and moisture-laden southeasterly winds, combined with judicious irrigation. Known as “the valley of vines and roses”, Robertson was once famous for its ostrich farms, which were supplanted after World War I by wine and fruit. It is also home to Thoroughbred race horses, fed on the bone-strengthening grasses grown on the limestone soil. Its leading wine is ripe, minerally Chardonnay, with Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon not far behind. Sparkling wine and fortified dessert wines are also prominent. A stand-alone ward separated by mountains from Worcester, Breedekloof and Tulbagh, Ceres is named for the Roman goddess of agriculture. Famed for deciduous fruit, it currently produces very little wine. Apple and pear orchards often precede vineyards, however, as their requirements are similar, so it is likely that more winegrowing will take hold in this area. |
(Robertson, South Africa) 