The lateness of harvest due to the coolness of the region. Being an apple growing area, at about 1000 feet above sea level, temperatures are typically between 4 and 7 degrees below the general Cape Town temperatures. Ripening is retarded, and the phenolic ripeness makes an astounding softness on the palate almost an expected characteristic. The ripe tannins, most noted in the reds, do not leave a sandyness or gravelly feeling on the teeth and the tounge.

  The Elgin ward is the newest proclaimed wine area in South Africa. Arumdale, to the south of the area has a boutique-size of a tiny 10 ha, and a bronze coloured loam soil, which is in the main, not under irrigation. The target of production is a low 8000kg per hectare, and the concentration of flavours is our big objective, as a result of the slight aridity of the ripening season.

  The environmental management is foremost in cultural practice here. Minimal tillage and spray coverage, is the norm, with inter-row grasses and weeds being kept diverse, and minimally cut. There is a veritable population of insects and soil creatures, which helps to promote the avian diversity, as well as that of the small mammals like field-mice, moles and the mongoose.

  Arumdale deliberately developed wines which generally aim to break the mould of what is commonly done in wineries, and have a powerful belief in the power of producing exceptional wine through blending, and vineyard cultural practice.