National Braai Day
24 September 2010
Menu
Karoo Lamb Chops
Traditional Boerewors
Herbed Chicken Sosaties
Freshly-grilled Mealies
Krummelpap
Chakalaka
Fresh green salad
Koeksister
Glass of Delheim Cab/Shiraz 2008
R120 pp
Reservations: Tel 021 888 4607 or e-mail restaurant@delheim.com
Spatz Sperling with the newly renovated caterpillar
It seems fitting that Spatz Sperling, a pioneer of the Stellenbosch wine farming industry, used a Cat D2, a pioneer in Caterpillar’s range of bulldozers, to help develop what is today one of the country’s premier vineyards.
In fact when the young Spatz Sperling arrived from Germany in 1951 to work for his cousin, Hans Hoheisen on the farm Delheim, the D2 had already been around for a while. Hoheisen bought the farm in 1938 and planned to plant his first vines in 1940. So concerned was he that the Second World War would delay his plans that he immediately went in search of the right mechanised tools to get started.
In 1939 Hans Hoheisen signed the order with Thos. Barlow & Sons (now Barloworld Equipment) in Cape Town for a diesel powered D2 dozer, together with a petrol driven equivalent, known as the R2. “He bought two machines because he was concerned about getting parts and service during the war,” Spatz explains. “If one broke down, he could use the other.”
Neither broke down and when Spatz arrived on the farm 10 years later the D2 was still going strong. The R2, it is believed, had been taken over by a neighbour.
Spatz recalls that the Cat D2 was very much part of the team that developed the 230ha Delheim estate. “It took us everywhere,” he says. “In my early years we did a lot of agricultural development here and the D2 was always there taking the first pioneering steps into the bush.”
The yellow machine was used to clear taaibos, it ploughed the fields for the planting of new vines and it extracted and moved lumber from Delheim’s pine forest – still the largest privately owned forest in the Western Cape today.
As its operator, William Ruiters was the one employee at Delheim in the 1950s and 1960s who knew the Cat D2 intimately. William often took the machine into virgin bush in the hills of Delheim to undertake all manner of tasks. “If it suddenly started descending a steep slope, William would jump off and the machine would continue happily on its own,” says Spatz. “All you could see was the bushes waving around, there would be no sign of the D2. But it always came out fine on the other side.”
Once a farm labourer came running to say the Cat machine had overturned. “Maar dit idle nog,” added the amazed worker. It was turned over and continued its job, unfazed by all the fuss.
Delheim’s Cat D2 was eventually put out to pasture in the late 1970s. The old machine, with a fresh coat of paint, now stands as an icon at the entrance to the farm. The Sperling family has pledged to rebuild it to its former glory. Some day visitors may see the taaibos moving at Delheim and this time it may not be one of the family’s beloved tribe of Jack Russell terriers – it may be that Delheim icon, the Cat D2.
Lente is hier en die wingerde is besig om te bot. Tot dusver is die lote nie veel langer as ‘n paar sentimeter nie, maar die eerste blomtrosse is besig om te voorskyn te kom. Ons het ons eerste spuite al op die wingerde gesit en ons fokus op die stadium van geveg is op donsige skimmel wat geneig is om hierdie tyd van die jaar op ons blare te ontwikkel a.g.v. die warm weer wat ons ervaar wat gepaard gaan met bietjies reën en dou.
Ons is bevoorreg om in die gelukkige posisie te wees om drie nuwe blokke hierdie jaar op Delvera te plant. Dit sluit in twee groot blokke teen Elsenburg se grens wat onderskeidelik Pinotage en Cabernet Sauvignon is; asook ‘n derde blok, wat Pinotage is, wat geleë is reg onder die Varkplaas Pinot Noir by Delvera se ingang. Hierdie blok vervang die ou Varkplaas Pinotage wat in 2007 tot niet gemaak is en gaan dus dieselfde naam dra.
In die volgende paar weke volg voortdurende druk om die plaas netjies te maak en skoon te kry van onkruid. Oor ‘n week moet daar begin word met suierwerk, waartydens alle onnodige lote weggebreek gaan word om die kwaliteit van ons oes te verbeter asook om die algemene gesondheid van die wingerdstok te verhoog.
Ons het ‘n baie droë winter gehad en daar word voorspel dat daar ‘n droë somer gaan volg. Dit is dus belangrik om goeie aandag te gee aan jou besproeiing-sisteme en te sorg dat alles in goeie werkende toestand is.
So ‘n besige tydjie lê nou vir ons voor!
Andri Hanekom
Well, the 2010 Nederburg Auction has come and gone, and it achieved some great prices. Seen here are bidders on Delheim Wines.
In keeping with the Auction’s theme of the 1970′s this year, Delheim offered a bottle of each of its Goldspatz 1974 and Delheim Pinotage 1975 as one lot. The bid was won by Mr Shimansky for the price of R2 600.
Shimansky bidding on the 74 Goldsptaz and 75 Pinotage
The 2003 Delheim Grand Reserve achieved an average price of R1 980 per 6-bottle case, and the successful bidders were The Sun International Group, Peddlars on the Bend and Al’s Grill & Butcher.
Sun Hotel bidding on the Delheim Grand Reserve
Peddlars on the Bend
Suid-Afrika se topverkopende sangpaar, Rudi Claase en Corlea Botha, aka “Die Lieflinge” het vandag by Delheim gekuier.
Hulle nuwe CD “Drome” is nou landswyd beskikbaar. Meer inligting op die webwerf www.lieflinge.co.za
Van L na R: Stian van Zyl, Corlea Botha, Mignon du Plessis en Rudi Claase
On Saturday, 4 September Delheim hosted a clay shooting event at the picnic area behind the cellar as part of a team building exercise for the company Hospitality Affairs.
It was thrilling for many of the participants who had never fired a gun before, and there was much laughter watching the novices attempting to shoot down the clays.
For an adrenaline-filled and fun team-building experience, why not consider booking one of these events for your team? Please contact directors@delheim.com
Update on the Phoenician ship expedition, carrying Delheim muscadel to Syria:
“After 27 days at sea since departing the Azores Phoenicia has arrived safely with a warm welcome from the local media, staff and public at Ocean Village Marina, Gibraltar. Phoenicia arrived on the afternoon of Sunday 29th August having already hit headlines in the local press -click here for Gibraltar Chronicle article.
Whilst in Gibraltar Phoenicia is being supported and hosted by Ocean Village Marina (http://www.gibraltarberths.com) which is providing a fantastic base for the expedition over the next 5 days.
Expedition Leader Philip Beale and the 10 international crew members will enjoy an eventful stay in port which will include re-stocking the ship with fresh supplies, welcoming new crew onboard and a days filming with the BBC before setting off to continue the expedition across the Mediterranean.
Phoenicia to feature in BBC’s Ancient Worlds
During Phoenica’s visit to Gibraltar we welcome aboard a film crew from the BBC who will be filming on location for forthcoming documentary series Ancient Worlds. Ancient Worlds will see archaeologist and historian Richard Miles embark on a six-part odyssey from the first cities of Mesopotamia to the Christianisation of the Roman Empire to tell the story of what he argues is mankind’s greatest achievement – civilisation. Due to broadcast throughout autumn-winter 2010 Ancient Worlds will feature “Phoenicia” as part of the exploration of ancient Phoenician civilisation. Keep you eyes on www.phoenicia.org.uk for further information and broadcast announcements.”
| From wine.co.za |
| 03 September 2010 by Nederburg Auction |
 |
| ”Lunch at the very first Nederburg Auction was a simple affair. Boerewors rolls eaten at trestle tables on the lawn was as elegant as it got”, remembers the visionary Michael ‘Spatz’ Sperling of Delheim, one of the five original producers to participate at the inaugural event on 15th March 1975. |
|
Nearly four decades on, the good old boerie roll moves aside for a selection of delicious meals for guests to enjoy at this year’s auction lunch. Not forgetting the auction’s roots though, Andrea Foulkes from Dish Food & Social has prepared a menu of ‘Bowl Food’ – line fish with Cape Malay curry sauce, basmati rice and roast butternut, free-range Namibian sirloin served with shoestring potatoes, slow roasted lamb and brandy malva puddings are just a few of the medley of small meals that will be constantly served to guests over lunch this year, offering a variety of old favourites with a modern twist.
Lunch has evolved and matured over the years, and so has the auction. “It is unbelievable that what began as a small, intimate occasion has grown into an international event ? who could have foreseen that this event would one day be recognised as one of the world’s five major wine auctions”; says Spatz.
Friday 3rd September sees the official start of the 2010 Nederburg Auction, with a total of 5 594 cases of 161 wines set to come under the hamper for buyers ranging from liquor licensees, restaurant owners, food and beverage buyers for hotels, guesthouses, game lodges and the supermarket retailers. Members of the public will also for the first time in the history of the event be afforded an opportunity to bid on wines through the The Bergkelder Vinotèque Wine Bank.
Saturday’s programme opens with a keynote address by two top female directors of the Swedish retail liquor monopoly Systembolaget AB. Marie Nygren and Sara Norell will provide further insight into the Systembolaget and its mission, which includes a strong focus on corporate social responsibility, and future trends. The bidding then kicks off with a rare selection of old wines, on offer from the very first auction’s original five participants to honour the heritage of the auction. Delheim, Groot Constantia, Nederburg, Overgaauw and Simonsig have delved into their cellars to find wines sold at the 1975 auction or similar wines, and the result is a unique collection of wine history captured in 23 bottles.
Full details of all the 2010 auction wines can be viewed online at www.nederburgauction.co.za.
|
Judging by the frenetic bird activity, spring really does seem to be on its way at last! We are still having some pretty cool mornings though. This photograph was taken early this morning of the Simonsberg wreathed in mist.
![BIODIVERSITY AND WINE INITIATIVE [Delheim is the 7th BWI Champion]](http://www.delheim.com/images/globe.gif "[Delheim is the 7th BWI Champion]")
BIODIVERSITY AND WINE INITIATIVE
[Delheim is the 7th BWI Champion] CAPE TOURISM DELVERA
[Delvera is a collection of independently owned businesses aimed at providing an enjoyable experience out in the winelands.] GENERAL SOUTH AFRICAN WINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION GERMAN TOUR GUIDE OAKLEAFLODGE
[It offers comfortable and affordable country accommodation in the heart of the Stellenbosch Winelands.] SOUTH AFRICA _ ITS POSSIBLE STELLENBOSCH WINE ROUTE SUSTAINABILITY SEAL WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA (WOSA)