Barton Vineyards

Barton is a working farm encompassing vineyards and a Fynbos Reserve conserving the region’s bio-diversity.

The Neill family purchased Barton in 2001 with its six hectares of 20 year old Chenin Blanc vines. Starting in 2003 the planting of a further 30 hectares of vines include Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir and Mourvedre.

The cool, frost free climate and southerly aspect gives rise to a slow and extended grape ripening period thus lending itself to the production of exceptional wines. Temperatures in the growing season average between 19°C and 22°C.

The vineyards are planted on southerly slopes ensuring exposure to the cool sea breezes aiding colour and tannin formation on the red grapes and acidity on the white grapes.

The dominant soil formation is gravelly coarse sand with ferrous-quartzite that overlies soft weathered sandstone with clay patches. The soils induce low to moderate vigour with resultant low yields and concentration of flavour.

The first Barton wine was the Chenin Blanc 2003 and in 2006 construction of Barton’s cellar commenced and the tasting room opened in early 2007. The cellar was fully operational for the 2008 harvest.

Barton’s logo is that of the threatened Blue Crane, this is the national bird of South Africa. It is a tall, ground-dwelling bird that inhabits dry grassy uplands usually the pastured grasses of hills, valleys, and plains. Although historically found in areas of low human disturbance, the blue crane is currently thriving in highly transformed agricultural areas of the Western Cape.

This is the only portion of its habitat where the population is increasing. The breeding period is highly seasonal, with eggs being recorded between October and March. Pair-formation will include the running in circles, followed by the male engaging in a ‘dance’ flinging various object in the air and jumping.

While it remains common in parts of its historic habitat, it began a sudden decline in population from 1980 and is now classified as vulnerable, approximately 26,000 Blue Crane remain. Two families breed on the farm and Barton makes a contribution to the Overberg Blue Crane Conservation Group with every bottle of wine sold.

www.bartonvineyards.co.za

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