Long Shadows!
Since our last farm story quite few things have happened.
During the weekend of the 8th of February, we had 162 millimeters of rain. In a way this flood was worse than the September 2023 disaster. More damage for us on the farm to roads and land crops and the dam walls. We lost the last portion of the Grenache noir.
We have just about finished fixing the dam wall which acts as our bridge over the Langhoogte spruit. For the second time in three years. The smaller dams, and especially the Cinsaut block, need more work. The heavy rain washed away a lot of topsoil.
Thankfully this weekend’s rain did little damage. We had some wind damage and lost some fruit but not as much as we feared.
It is that time of the year. The shadows are longer than the people that make them. Suddenly the morning sun shines directly into my little office; and straight into the goats’ milk parlour. I am happy to report that I am fit enough again to do the milking. And that Sue is recovering from her neck operation. She is driving her beloved Prado again. So Poephol and Portret are back in action. Again. You decide who’s who.
The milkers are winding down and will soon all be on maternity leave. They will be back early spring.
We are a bit more than halfway through the olive harvest. Not a record crop, but close. Thank you to Anro and his team. For once we would not have minded if the rain kept to weekends only so that we can get the fruit off the land and through the press. It’s rather messy trying to pick olives from wet trees and muddy gathering nets. Please note: We are not complaining. Just suggesting a slight change to the rain schedule.
The rain that we had is good for feed for the animals and cover crops in the vineyards. Everywhere you look the green sprouts show.
We have started pruning the olives that had been harvested and will start with the vineyards after the last olives had been picked. On our neighbouring farms, the Botrivier and Sonderend Beukes’s are desperately trying to get the last seeds into the soil. Wheat and Canola and Barley. The monster tractors and planters look like spooky UFO’s at night. During the day it is just about impossible to pass them on our narrow country roads.
Another bit of news is that my youngest, Elodie, will from now on be involved with the farm. Planning, marketing and management for two days a week while husband Clint and Ouma Leslie look after the children at home in Cape Town. The idea is to see whether we could fashion a life for Anysbos beyond the old toppies. After a bit of a run-in, we are happy that, with her help, it might just be possible. Thank you Clint and Ouma Leslie.
Two weeks ago, we showed and officially launched our new wines. The Disdit 24 and the Tesame and Stokalleen 23. We are particularly chuffed with these wines. Thank you Marelise and the cellar team. Probably our best. Ever.
If you want some of these wines you know what to do. Order from Lereen at admin@anysbos.co.za or online or arrange for a tasting. There is still some cheese and olives and oil to go with it.
Johan and Sue