Life in the Nitida family 

Our most recent recruits RJ and Getha have both demonstrated true Nitida tenacity in their first year with us. RJ has just returned from a harvest at Chateau Angelus, a Premier Grand Cru Clesse in ST Emilion, France. It sounds like a life-altering experience “everybody lives for wine” and “the food is just fantastic”. On the red wine side, this area specialises (like Durbanville) in Merlot led Bordeaux blends to produce elegant fruit driven styles with only a touch of cabernet. Adding to this “intravenous” learning curve, he had to cope with the consequences of recurring downpours during his first harvest. Despite a hard year, he finds himself head-over-heels in love with Durbanville and with working on a small farm where he can be involved in every aspect of the vineyard and cellar.

Getha has had just as hectic an initiation, running our farm events including a monthly “farmer’s market”, a once-off African cultural circus show, our spring sauvignon blanc festival and hosting a number of duathlons and cycling races. She has fended off the “harvest grumbles”, braved our sopping wet and treacherous dirt roads all winter and even managed to remain fairly relaxed as she sneezed her way through the high pollen counts of spring. After all of this she still declares herself to be happy.

Jacus and Elrina’s children are growing up so quickly. Their Christmas present last year is crawling at high speed and showing keen intent to walk and talk. Liebe is very excited about starting at big school on the farm next year.

Henriette paid a short visit to Southern Africa to see her family and arrange her wedding.

The Vellers have had an “interesting” year and have considered writing “Durbanville does Dallas” if the right publisher appears. Our children have all worked really hard and reaped the rewards they deserve, they are all healthy and remind us daily how lucky we are. If we ever forget this, a beautiful sunset with a glass of Nitida sauvignon blanc in hand is not to be sneezed at.