Terroir – Haskell Vineyards
Stellenbosch, Western Cape, Wine Farm
Please note that Terroir is more than just the soil and plants its also the human influence.
The original farm Dombeya (referring to the many Wild Pear trees on the property) was once a citrus farm, which later included a small coffee shop and a barn where local ladies produced hand-woven blankets and jerseys.
The greatest wines in the world are made from grapes grown on sites specifically suited to certain varieties. The way that the vine interacts with the soil, site, climate and growing conditions to produce grapes of unique character forms the basis of our understanding of the concept “terroir”.
Our focus has thus been towards finding ways to maximize the potential of our vineyards and across our 23-hectare Estate there are numerous changes of soil type and structure with pronounced differences in elevation and aspect from block to block. It is within this structure we have come to an understanding of our unique terroir and how to obtain the best from it, all of which will be taken into consideration as we prepare the replanting our first vines.
Block 1
Cabernet Sauvignon planted in 1999 and is 1.9Ha Clone CS46A on rootstock 101-14.
North – eastern aspect on decompose granite with clay subsoil and drip irrigation.
Block 2
Cabernet Sauvignon planted in 2002 0.69Ha clone CS 46C planted on 101-14 rootstock.
North – eastern aspect with drip irrigation on decomposed granite and clay soil. This block is situated in the middle of the slope and it delivers some of the most complex Cabernet Sauvignon grapes on the farm.
Block 3
Merlot planted in 1999 0.9 Ha total planted on rootstock R110.
North-eastern aspect. This block is planted on decompose granite soil with contents of sandstone in it. Drip irrigation. This block of Merlot grape produces wine with a lot of berry characteristics.
Block 4
Shiraz planted in 2002 Clone SH22 on 101-14 MGT rootstock.
The Shiraz grapes is planted on an old horse paddoc. The soil consist of a high content of granite as well as sandstone with an underlayer of clay. The block of grape is planted on a West facing slope and has drip irrigation. Wine give aromas of violets and black pepper spice.
Block 5
Cabernet Sauvignon clone CS 46C planted on 101-14 rootstock planted in 2002 0.63 Ha.
This block’s soil is mostly sandstone with underlayers of granite and clay. The block does not harvest a lot but produces the excellent Cabernet Sauvignon with an intense black berry and tannin structure. Drip irrigation.
Block 6
Merlot planted in 1999 1.11Ha on 101-14 mgt rootstock.
This Merlot block has a high clay soil content. It has a north-east slope with large patches of weathered granite. It also delivers wine with depth in colour and intensity.
Block 7
Cabernet Sauvignon planted in 1999 0.95Ha Clone CS46A on rootstock 101-14.
It is situated at the lowest part of the farm, in the valley with cooler climate conditions. While the slope is facing north – east the soil consists of clay and weathered granite. Drip irrigation.
Block 8
Shiraz planted in 2003 0.81Ha clone SH22 on 101-14 mgt rootstock.
This block is the only block that is facing to the South with a high clay fraction in the higher part of the block. Wine that is produced by this block consists of white pepper characteristics.
Block 9
Shiraz planted in 2002 0.86Ha clone SH22 on mgt 101-14.
North – east slope down in the valley that is planted on weathered granite soil. Wines that is produced by this block has red and black berry characteristics.
Block 10
Cabernet Franc planted in 2008 0.65Ha clone CF1 on 101-14 mgt rootstock.
The Cab Franc grapes were planted on a slope that is facing north- east which has drip irrigation.
Block 11
Chardonnay – Anvil 1.74Ha planted in 1988.
Block 11 is a very old block. It was planted in 1988. Although the harvest from this block is very low because of the dry land, it still produces good quality grapes which is all used for the Anvil Chardonnay.
Block 12
Merlot planted in 2008 2.09Ha.
The Merlot block is relatively young compared to the other two yet it has typical characteristics of a Helderberg Merlot.
Block 13
Shiraz planted in 2008 0.65Ha clone SH22 mgt 101-14.
This Shiraz grapes were planted on 35% stone soil. It took 7 years for this block to produce in full and today this very block produces one of the best Shiraz on the farm. The slope is a north facing and has drip irrigation.