Nitida only exists today because of Pufford, a semi-derelict 3-cylinder, 30 kilowatt 1971 Ford tractor.

When we bought the farm in 1990, I don’t think we even realised there was an old tractor in the back of one of the barns.

2 years later, Bernhard took a week off work so he and Klaas could plant a couple of vineyards. There is no way this could have been possible without the help of this neglected old workhorse.

This, very simply was the beginning of Nitida. There was no way of knowing then that 11 years down the road, this family owned and run cellar would be one of the most awarded and loved boutique wine cellars in South Africa.

Klaas is still with us today, but now he drives a new (slightly bigger) tractor, Pufford is in semi-retirement and spends the odd week in hospital but is still invaluable at harvest time.