seriously old dirt by vilafonté
Yes, we are serious about dirt – old dirt.
Soil is the foundation for the vine plant, and the character of the soil is what gives the vine, its grapes and the resulting wine a uniquely defined personality. The Cape winelands of South Africa have some of the oldest soils in the world, originating one billion years ago when the earth cracked-up at the foot of continent Africa. This is serious, so are we.
That is why Seriously Old Dirt is committed to making wine from vines growing on soils originating from the birth of the earth.
Seriously Old Dirt was originally conceived in 2012, as a classic ‘second wine’ in the Bordeaux tradition.
Named by Vilafonté co-founder Dr. Phil Freese paying homage to some of the oldest soil in the world (seriously old dirt) that he had come to understand existed in the Cape winelands of South Africa. The name Vilafonté itself is derived from one of the oldest soils on our own vineyard site. This ‘seriously old dirt’, by most accounts, originated around 800-650 million years ago, when the earth cracked-up at the foot of the nascent African continent.
As the Vilafonté team have gained in confidence, Seriously Old Dirt has developed a stand-alone reputation and from 2016 we started exploring beyond our borders to source vineyards and relationships which allow us to grow and improve. Today, under the leadership of Seriously Old Dirt head winemaker Arlene Mains, we continue our evolution. Seriously Old Dirt has become a multi-vineyard and regionally-agnostic blend inspired by the original wines produced from our Vilafonté site. We continue to explore new vineyards, sites & relationships that embrace and express the ancient soils of South Africa.
Soil is one of the most important aspects in nature, one which is essential for the existence of natural eco-systems and humankind. Soil, together with climate, is also the most important foundation of agriculture, and in winegrowing, it is paramount. Because of the diversity of soil profiles found throughout the winemaking world, soil can be one of the dominating factors determining the structure, flavour profile and character expressed by a vine. Along with climate and aspect, soil contributes to the very soul of what is in the glass. Just as the vineyards are rooted in soil, so too is the expressive identity of each wine rooted to the soils in which the wine originates.
The vine needs soil, water, sun and air to survive. The nature of each plays a profound role in the quality and personality of the end wine made from these vines. The roots of the vine are probing, living things, delving deep beneath the earth and into the soil to seek – as all living things do – sustenance. Water and nutrients can only be absorbed by the roots from the soil in which the vine grows.
Here the role of soil is all-determining, vital. Old, depleted, nutrient-deficient soils will cause roots to work harder and delve deeper to seek the moisture required to feed and sustain the vine. Seeking water and nutrients, these energy-sapping activities induce stress in the vineyard. Stressful conditions can make for hardy vines that produce lower yields, grow smaller berries with intense concentrated flavours that are reflected in the wine.
Roots do not carry flavours from the soil into the vine. However, soils can have a marked influence on the ability of the roots to absorb nutrients and moisture which contribute to taste, texture and structure in the final wine.
Soil is one of the most important aspects in nature, one which is essential for the existence of natural eco-systems and humankind. Soil, together with climate, is also the most important foundation of agriculture, and in winegrowing, it is paramount. Because of the diversity of soil profiles found throughout the winemaking world, soil can be one of the dominating factors determining the structure, flavour profile and character expressed by a vine. Along with climate and aspect, soil contributes to the very soul of what is in the glass. Just as the vineyards are rooted in soil, so too is the expressive identity of each wine rooted to the soils in which the wine originates.
The vine needs soil, water, sun and air to survive. The nature of each plays a profound role in the quality and personality of the end wine made from these vines. The roots of the vine are probing, living things, delving deep beneath the earth and into the soil to seek – as all living things do – sustenance. Water and nutrients can only be absorbed by the roots from the soil in which the vine grows.
Here the role of soil is all-determining, vital. Old, depleted, nutrient-deficient soils will cause roots to work harder and delve deeper to seek the moisture required to feed and sustain the vine. Seeking water and nutrients, these energy-sapping activities induce stress in the vineyard. Stressful conditions can make for hardy vines that produce lower yields, grow smaller berries with intense concentrated flavours that are reflected in the wine.
Roots do not carry flavours from the soil into the vine. However, soils can have a marked influence on the ability of the roots to absorb nutrients and moisture which contribute to taste, texture and structure in the final wine.
Owners: The Ratcliffe Family
Farm name: Vilafonté Vineyard, Portion 19, Farm Simonsvlei 791
Vineyard age: 1997 and later
Founded in 1997, the 42ha estate on the bench of the Simonsberg Mountains with its unique vilafontes soils, served as the fuse to our vision. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec confirmed its affinity to the ancient soils. Planted at high density, these vines adhere to the exquisite struggle; encouraging smaller vines, lower yields and highly concentrated fruit. Vilafonté wines are exclusively from grapes grown on our property.
Although there is much variation in the climate of the Western Cape, the biggest influence on wine growing in South Africa is the presence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The cooling maritime influence has created what can be described as a Mediterranean climate. Wet and cold winters paired with long dry summers create an extremely favourable environment for the production of fine wine.
Owners: Mr. Philbert Lourens & Mr. PK Uys
Farm name: Wandsbek, Agterkliphoogte
Soil type: Glenrosa and Askham
Vineyard age: 2000 and 2003
The Wansdbek Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard used for the making of Seriously Old Dirt is rooted in one of the oldest parcels of farming soil on earth. Hundreds of millions of years in the making, the earth has proven to be a primary driver of the character found in the wines made from these vines.
Here the landscape is even, the vineyard situated on a lower foot slope on the terrace of a river that ceased to flow millions of years ago. Digging deep, one finds three major soil types.
The dominant topsoil, closest to the surface, is Glenrosa, a soil that resulted from weathered shale and known for its excellent water-retention abilities and the natural nutrients in imparts to the vine. The other main soil-type here is Bokkeveld Shale, a soil high in iron and – due to its ancient origins – packed with nutrients helping sustain the vines. The third major soil is Askham, a deeper, loose topsoil packed on a hard lime rich subsoil layer.
Limestone is a critical element in the making of fine wine due to this alkaline soil’s contribution to the ideal pH levels found in fruit from vines rooted in these chalk soils. Robertson, the greater region where the Wandsbek vineyard is situated, has the highest free-limestone content of any wine-growing region in South Africa. Like the famed wine region of Burgundy, the origins of Robertson’s limestone origins go back millions of years when the earth was inhabited by prehistoric marine creatures, the skeletons of which turned into limestone. Marine biogenic calcification is the process by which marine organisms such as oysters and clams form calcium carbonate.
To the naked eye, the soils here vary from yellow to light red sandy loam topsoil with quartz fragments scattered through the plot. Patches of free limestone and lime nodules are visible to the naked eye.
Wandsbek is a dry region, receiving but some 180mm of rain per annum. Soils are well drained, with a lower water holding capacity due to coarser textured topsoil and this makes a growing substance of low vigour, allowing the vines to reach just the right amount of stress to cause them to work strenuously in growing grapes of immense concentration and varietal expression.
The wines from this soil where the topsoil is mainly from sandstone origin has proven to have a more fruit-driven profile with an enhanced red fruit component, while the tannin structure is more elegant and less intense.
Our developing relationship with Philbert and PK is blossoming and we commenced planting new Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in 2020.
Owners: Elethu. Established in 2007, it comprises black-owned and managed vineyards; and; black-managed winemaking.
Farm name: Elethu, Gelukshoop
Soil type: Glenrosa, Swartland and weathered Bokkeveld Shale
Vineyard age: 2012 and onwards
Elethu is a a proudly South African wine-growing enterprise with a unique history.
Established in 2007, it comprises black-owned land; black-owned and managed vineyards; and; black-managed winemaking. The name is inspired by the shale – or skalie, in Afrikaans – that dominates the Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. The Elethu farm lies on fertile river-fronting land on the outskirts of Bonnievale.
Elethu’s very first vines that were planted in 2012. Characterised by layering, this soil is rich in nutrients that feed the vines with the goodness required to create the very best quality fruit.
Owners: Family owned
Farm name: Leeuwenkuil
Location: 33° 39′ 47 S 18° 51′ 4 E
Soil type: Malmesbury Shale
Vineyard age: 2014
Malmesbury shale, very typical of the area.
Gravel topsoil, with decomposed shale subsoil.
High clay % with retained water through the growing season.
The shale also has a high mineral and salt content, which give the wine a nice sweet and savoury character.
