The 36th Vinpro Stellenbosch Vineyard block competition

Hartenberg Gravel Hill vineyard, managed by Viticulturist Wilhelm Joubert, was named Vinpro Vineyard Block Competition champion at an awards ceremony recently.

Wilhelm Joubert

 The Stellenbosch block competition is open to producers in the Stellenbosch consulting region, including Stellenbosch, Durbanville, Constantia, Helderberg, Elgin and the Hemel en Aarde Valley. Each producer is allowed to enrol one vineyard block which is then judged by a panel of viticulturist from the South African Wine Industry. The main initiative behind this competition is to give recognition to wine grape producers that implement the best possible viticultural practices within their vineyards. The top three blocks this year was named as:

• Winner: Wilhelm Jouberg, Hartenberg
• Floricius Beukes, Groot Constantia
• Heinrich Louw, Glenelly



Gravel Hill Vineyard



The Gravel Hill Vineyard is a unique site, the dry, gravelly soil strewn with "koffieklip" yields an elegant Shiraz with mineral and savoury aspects. The Gravel Hill Shiraz was initially available from the Cape Winemakers Guild only before being released as part of the Hartenberg range in 2004. Only a limited amount of Gravel Hill Shiraz is produced each year with the current 2007 Gravel Hill being released at the London Wine Fair in May.