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The
Barrydale region has a long history of
brandy making and Barrydale Cellar
has built on this to become one of South
Africa's top pot still brandy producers,
competing with - and beating -
international brands at international
level. But there is more than brandy to
the cellar.
Its
Barrydale range of wines carries the
name of the country's smallest region of
origin, Tradouw. Grapes for the range
are grown on a mere 15km x 3km, a
unique, fruitful pocket in the
breathtaking Langeberg Mountains where
vines flourish naturally. The result is
a taste that is undeniably Barrydale.
At
the beginning of 2005, the cellar joined
forces with the neighbouring Ladismith Cellar and formed Southern Cape
Vineyards, an umbrella company, to share
and exchange technology and capacity to
make the most - and the best - of the
resources available to them.
|
Ferdi seriously at work |
Meet the winemaker. Ferdi
Smit grew up on a farm in Bredasdorp,
lives in Buffeljagsriver and worked
for the past 26 years at Barrydale
Cellar. As everyone knows, Ferdi is
a perfectionist and is thorough in
everything he does. He is married to
Lorraine and has 3 beautiful
daughters.
His favourite wine from the
cellar: The Barrydale Sauvignon
blanc and the Merlot. |
Facts about Ferdi you probably
did not know: Ferdi farms
part-time with sheep and cattle,
loves the outdoors and is a big
Stormers fan. He loves to watch
rugby and braai with friends. |
