Nicole Sissison

Autumn is starting to settle over the Jonkershoek Valley, showing up in small ways at first. The days are still warm enough for a glass outside, but evenings cool off quicker. Tastings start edging back into the cellar - right where the wines are made - even if the stoep is still very much in play on a good day. And it’s not just us - the same shift usually shows up at home too. The ice bucket takes a back seat to the wine rack and glasses are filled with something a little more comforting....

Harvest doesn’t arrive all at once - it sneaks up on you. One day the vineyards are ticking along, the next things start moving faster than we had time to shake off our Thistle & Weeds. Berries soften, flavours shift and we’re suddenly spending more time outside than anywhere else, boots catching on the odd duwweltjie as we go. This year, it showed up about two weeks early - our minds still half on summer holiday, the vineyards very much not. Sun, Soil and a Few Curveballs Most of the...