Nature always surprises by offering the most beautiful things when expected the least. The 2016 harvest started one month earlier than usual because of very dry conditions combined with very warm temperatures and strong winds blowing without end. This resulted in very difficult conditions as the vineyards needed constant care to make sure that they are in top condition to offer us the quality we need to make great wines. It also forced us to be more in touch with our vines and therefore we closely monitored every process taking place.

In the cellar we were amazed by the quality of the grapes! Tiny berries with extreme concentration and wonderful colour was the result of a very tiresome season. Our viticulture practices of the last year paid off!! One more vineyard to harvest and then this great offering will go to barrel where the wine will take it’s time to slowly undergo transformation that will grab the imagination of all who is fortunate enough to get their hands on this Aaldering vintage!

The crop was slightly smaller than previous years predominantly because of the small berries that were a direct result of the dry season. The soon to be released 2013 vintage has been bottled only recently and shows quality that is a clear indication of the year on year hard work that our team has put into improving each vintage we release; vibrant fruit with riper and elegant tannins. These wines have been matured for 2 years in French oak.

Since the establishment of Aaldering we have been operating the Dutch market independently as our own importer and distributor. Sales have been surging since, up to a point where the growth made it necessary to make modifications in our organization as well as distribution. Therefore, it was time to look for a partner that would professionalize this further. We are very pleased that one of the largest fine wine importers in the Netherlands, Fourcroy, fits perfectly with our aspirations and took over the exclusive distribution of Aaldering wines in the Netherlands.
Fourcroy enjoys an excellent reputation in importing leading wines from all over the world. Our beloved Sales Manager for the Netherlands, Femke Pengel, moved to Fourcroy where she is enjoying the company of the experienced Fourcroy team and keeps supporting the sales for Aaldering.

All the wines onboard of KLM are carefully selected by their wine committee and it is such a compliment for our beloved Pinotage grape that they have chosen the indigenous South African grape again to serve onboard of KLM World Business Class. Obviously KLM is after the best service for their travelers and they’ve selected nothing less than our Double Gold awarded Aaldering Pinotage 2012, airborne on April 1st.

We are lucky to keep expanding our exports steadily and happy to announce that we have 2 new additions in the exclusive distribution of our wines around the world. Vinhuset Tore Smith in Sweden, close to Malmö, who is a sole importer for premium South African wines and Dai Ninh Trading Co in Hanoi, Vietnam who runs an exclusive wine trading company and wine shop with an inspiring selection of the world’s finest wines.

Aaldering launched in Mpumalanga with a road trip from White River, via Hazyview and Hoedspruit, kindly arranged by our energetic distributor, Kim Liston from Wine on Wheels.

Together with some prestigious South African wine brands the Mpumalanga clientele were treated to tastings and food and wine pairings at various venues showing off what Stellenbosch terroir has to offer.

The highlight was however meeting Tembo, the friendly and huge elephant at Elephant Whispers in Hazyview. One of the most interesting facts was to learn that 50% of elephants are left-handed and 50% right-handed. The way to distinguish is to look at the shortest tusk, which is the dominant one with which it leads!

During the summer of 2016 we have welcomed hundreds of wine lovers from all over the world in our tasting room again. New guests were surprised by our rare and exclusive Pinotage Blanc which the majority have never tasted before, whilst familiar faces came around again this year to taste the newest vintages from Guillaume’s hand. Guests were hosted by the charming William, whom ensures all our visitors enjoy a perfect mid-morning or afternoon tasting amidst the idyllic Aaldering vineyards.
This season all our tasting room guests were treated to a complimentary copy of our glossy Aaldering Wine Magazine 1 | e-dition, of which the second edition is already in the making!

During February the hearts and taste buds of the Russian importers and consumers were warmed by the first offering of Aaldering wines at Prodexpo in Moscow. Not even the snowy weather could dampen the appreciation shown for Aaldering Pinotage and Aaldering Shiraz! We were thankful for wonderful feedback about the intensity of the color of our wines, the fruitfulness of the palate and off course for having a translator available to tell the story of our South African dream.