Kouga set to pop the cork on R10m wine estate as final plantings start to take root

WORKERS and management of a new Eastern Cape enterprise have toasted the completion of the first stage of a R10-million agricultural project aimed at putting the Kouga area on the national and worldwide map as a wine-producing region.

Cob Creek wine estate managing director Greg Ferguson said yesterday that the planting of more than 102000 vines had been completed this month.

“When the first wines are released in 2010, Cob Creek will rate as one of South Africa‘s fully fledged wine estates, which means it will be able to grow grapes, produce wine and bottle on site,” said Ferguson. The estate is above the Kabeljous River valley, close to Jeffreys Bay

“The fact that South Africa has about 5000 wine labels but just over 100 estates underlines just where Cob Creek will rank as one the country‘s most exclusive wine estates,” added Ferguson.

“This past week has seen the culmination of four years of extensive scientific studies which have enabled us to achieve what is now our final plantings.”

A specialist company and scientist Johann Lanz from the Cape Winelands were recruited to study the soil types. Their research identified the area as being ideal for “wines that will have the potential to rank with the country‘s finest”.

Full-time wine maker Wedre Lourens, who joined the estate from Tulbagh Winery, said the vines would produce 75 per cent white wine. Sauvignon blanc will make up 50% of that, while chenin blanc, semillon, pinot noir and white muscadel will constitute the rest. The remaining 25% will be shiraz (red).

“It has been an amazing challenge, having only arrived in May, but with the final plantings in, we can now concentrate on growing exceptional wines,” said Lourens.

The estate will host tastings and tours from February.