The name means The Footpath in Dutch, and comes from the name of Dirk Brand’s wheat and rooibos tea farm, where the rustic block of old vines is tucked away. This is surely the most isolated old vineyard in the country, presumably originally planted to supply the farmer and his neighbours. Its 1.4 hectares host varieties established in the Cape since the early days of European settlement, with most of the planting done between 1887 – 1928, and all of the vines grow on their own roots .
The vineyard’s survival without irrigation is also extraordinary in this hot valley in the north of the huge Swartland region, near the village of Aurora and Elands Bay on the coast. Its precise location has allowed it to survive, with an underground river flowing beneath it from the mountains
Vinification
Voetpad is a field blend of all the varieties - they are picked together in one morning. The grapes are picked and placed overnight in a cool room and pressed whole bunch the following day. The juice is then transferred to an old foudre where it is left undisturbed until natural fermentation starts.
The wine is left in casks and foudre for the entire first 12 months on the fermentation lees and we bottle from the lees. Two weeks prior to bottling we transfer the wine to a blending tank and add around 60 mg/litre of sulphur for protection during bottling. The wine normally settles to perfect clarity and can then be bottled unfiltered.
Storage potential
Drink as from : 2025
Best moment : 2029-2031
Until : 2035
Trial analysis
With the first smell of this 2022 Voetpad, we thought, wow, let’s not even write a note and ruin it! This 2022 ‘T Voetpad is incredibly expressive, and the usual waxy and lanolin aromatics are to be found, but the cordial limey aromatics, dried straw bales, and a dash of melon are concentrated aspects. The palate has a lingering aftertaste, is incredibly restrained, and the wine is light on its feet. The tannins are restrained, and the acidity is very soft on the finish. It is one of this vineyard’s most elegant and refined versions. We also had to pick slightly earlier due to the looming heat waves. The wine is just a Mindbender this year.