Background

On the slopes of the Outeniqua's highest point, Cradock Peak, and bordered on three sides by nature reserve, lies Cradock Farm in a secluded valley near Herold.

Of its 324 hectares, there are just 6 hectares of vineyards which were planted in 1999 and 2001.

In his search for a piece of land to establish a small wine farm with a view to his retirement dream, Mark Chandler was drawn to cool George, where year-round rainfall offers conditions similar to Europe's Pinot Noir region, Burgundy.

Bird netting covering the fruit zone of the vines iin the weeks leading up to harvest.

The farm was purchased from South African Breweries' Hop Farms in 1997 and yielded its first Pinot Noir harvest in 2003.

Since retirement for Mark was - and still is - far off, his sister, Vivien Harpur and her husband, Bruce, willingly undertook to oversee the running of the farm as their contribution in the family business. With their 4 children beginning to spread their wings, they found it to be perfect timing to turn their energies to the farm and the community of Herold.

Although there is no formal background in viticulture or winemaking, Mark and Vivien, with their team of 6 full-time workers, prove their metal with hard work and resourcefulness and persevere with this challenging but rewarding venture.