Our Vineyard
At La Brune we see vines as people, and people desire to do more than just one thing in life. We need balance. This balance is reflected in that our high density vines produce fruit with high complexity, but also create the energy they will need in order to sustain producing fruit for decades. Our high density vineyards are not just planted for 25 vintages but for 3 or 4 generations.
High-density planting
High density planting allows incoming sunlight to be diffused by the leaves of the vines (because the vines are planted so close together) which means that there is consistently less direct sunlight reaching the fruit. This prevents both sunburn and forced ripening, instead promoting even and slow ripening. Because of these conditions, our fruit tends to be slightly higher in acidity, bringing a freshness, tightness and length to our wines.
The average density of vines planted in South Africa is about 3 300 vines per hectare, and a vine that is used for premium wine production will have a yield of around 3 kilograms. Conversely, because of the high densities we plant at on our farm, the yield per vine lies instead between 500 grams and 1 kilogram. This creates a balance in the vine because the ripening fruit does not deplete all the the vine’s energy, thereby allowing it to store energy for the next year and the years to come.
The obsession with Chardonnay
and pinot noir
There are no other cultivars that showcase the story of where they grow as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir does. They are a reflection of where they grow and if treated correctly we are blessed with that story in the wine. We are very proud to have the highest density Chardonnay and Pinot Noir planted in South – Africa.
We believe that with the commitment of farming at a higher density in the cool – climate terroir of the Elgin Valley we have all the tools we need to produce fruit that will help us to unlock the story of our land and the vintage.
You cannot improve a great terroir—you can only avoid spoiling it.
– Henri Jayer