www.robertsonwinery.co.za
May 2009
"We wish all our readers a very
happy Mother's Day."

Small Town, Big Heart - our social investment

focus on Marta Fielies

Today Marta is wearing a bright pink top and a camo cap, she’s ready for action, she’s proud to be a woman, and very proud to be on the board for the Robertson Winery Black Employment Equity Project (BEE). 

Robertson Winery takes the growth of future generations to heart, and our BEE project is an initiative to empower particularly the women on Robertson Winery’s 40-odd member farms. To this end, 183 permanent employees were selected from these farms. Directors were appointed from amongst themselves to serve on the board of their company, Constitution Wine Growers, of which they own 66% and Robertson Winery owns 33%. Robertson Winery undertakes to provide training for these ladies from pruning and spraying in the vineyards to accounting, financial management and general life skills. The company purchased a farm in the valley, appointed a manager, Hansie Volschenk, and staff, and now operates as a fully fledged member of Robertson Winery. Marta Fielies is the only board member to work directly on the farm.

Word from the grapevine is: You don’t mess with Marta; she takes her work seriously and expects everyone to pull their weight. “Yes, sometimes some people creep in under the vines to hide, but I find them quickly and chase them out, I make sure everyone does their job.” she states emphatically. Marta has spent all her life in Robertson. Her father worked for a tyre fitting shop and her mother was a domestic employee but Marta preferred the outdoors. “I love working outside in nature,” she explains, “I don’t even feel the heat.”

She has been working for the farm manager, Hansie Volschenk, for 10 years now. “When I told her I was coming to work here,” says Hansie, “She said: ‘Well I'm coming too.’ “So I had no choice,” grins Hansie, “but I'm glad, Marta is a wonderful member of staff and we facilitate a helping hand when need be.” Marta has her own little team that she manages, and when it’s harvest time, she supplements them with people from the village. As for being part of Constitution Wine Growers, Marta says she understands she's not going to make money overnight. “This is for my three children,” she says, “I look forward to providing them with a better chance in life some day."

Robertson scores excellent USA Wine enthusiast ratings

Wine Enthusiast Magazine is one of the USA’s largest lifestyle magazines covering wine, food, spirits, travel and entertaining topics. Their ratings carry great weight in the industry and that is why we are very chuffed with the 87 points awarded to the Robertson Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2008 and the 86 points awarded to the Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc of the same vintage. Francois Weich made both wines. He describes the Sauvignon Blanc as a lively, fruity wine with a crisp acidity while the Chenin is a full-bodied wine with powerful varietal flavours of pineapple, granadilla, melon and green apple and a lovely balancing acidity.

The first wine to be released from the 2009 vintage will be the Robertson Winery Sauvignon Blanc, and from what Briaan says it’s going to be even better than its above-mentioned older sister.

Finding accommodation in Robertson over the Wacky Wine Weekend is like looking for a needle in the proverbial haystack. This festival has quickly become a red letter event on the wine and social scene and, once again, Robertson Winery is at the forefront, offering an array of events to entice many a wine lover.

Mountain Bike Race

Rupert and Liz de Vries's picturesque farm on the banks of the Breede River, not only produces the delicious Vineyard Selection Phanto Ridge Pinotage and famous Gewürztraminer, but it is also the perfect venue for the Robertson Winery Mountain Bike Race planned for Saturday, 6 June. Last year’s race saw a record number of participants, this year should be even better!

The race, which has been accredited by the PPA, sports 3 routes, graded according the distance and severity: 12km, 29km and the 42km route all through pristine fynbos and vineyards with spectacular hills and nail-biting descents.

Each participant will receive either a bottle of Robertson wine or grape juice on completion of the race.  An adult must accompany all children under 10 years.  

Last year Pedal Power Association claimed to have a record turnout in challenging rainy weather.

To enter online go to our Robertson Winery website - www.robertsonwinery.co.za - this will link you to PPA. Early morning entries will open at the start on race day at 07h30. The first race begins at 08:30.

Proceeds of the event will be donated to charity organizations in our valley.

Miles of Smiles

Once again Robertson Winery is sponsoring the Miles of Smiles which consists of a half marathon, a 10km race and a 5km fun run. The race, which starts and ends at the Robertson Winery cellar, begins at 08:00 on Saturday, 6th.

As usual there are goody bags and fantastic prizes so make sure you get your entry in by 30 May 2009. For more information visit www.robertsonwinery.co.za.

Dance the night away

We will be moving our wine out of the warehouse at the Robertson Winery Cellar in Constitution Road, bringing in chairs and tables, amps and mikes and a whole lot more to make sure you get to have a fabulous party on Saturday night. Well known singers Arno Jordaan, Corné Louw, Gerhard Steyn and Flashback, will be entertaining you 'till long after midnight. R100 gets you a seat, a plate of steak and chips and a chance to take part in a truly festive evening.

Book your places now by visiting www.webtickets.co.za. Additional information available @ www.robertsonwinery.co.za