A few years ago, a successful businessman bought a piece of land out in Ashton. There were vineyards on the farm and the farm sold the grapes off to various co-ops and cellars. The man fell in love with the farm and had a dream of one day being able to make his own wine. He cultivated a brand out of nothing and improved the conditions on the farm, adding new vineyards and olives to the offerings on the farm, and purely through a network of friends and business connections, grew his brand of wine (that which the wife and daughter didn’t consume) into something which he could call “his own”.

The farm has impressed more people than just the man. It has won various awards for its grapes, and recently won the “Best Block” of vineyards in the entire Robertson valley. People who go to the farm leave with a sense of peace and quiet, as if they have been somewhere where time ceases to exist. The beauty of the farm, the quiet it presents as well as the energy it exudes once led another man to describe it as “Holy Land”.

The man’s dream continued and he has relentlessly pursued growing this brand, putting his heart into this project. He has read countless books, connected with industry stalwarts and spent his evenings on the internet researching projects which could be implemented on the farm.

There is something truly romantic about wine making, and for a man who is best described as a “metal trader” the idea of something as romantic as this is a stark contrast to dealing in rock and stone with value. The crude, cutthroat world of trading on an international level is very far removed from crushing grapes in one of the most beautiful valleys in the world.

When this picture arrived in my inbox yesterday is brought a big lump to my throat. I am someone who believes in defying the odds and taking on the impossible. I know how much has happened and how far removed this picture is from the man who knew how to pour wine a few years ago, who in this picture is making a blend of 3 wines. His first wine. This is history in the making. Proof that you should never give up, and follow your dreams, no matter what other people say.

I salute you, dad.

Ive been away for 10 days in Knysna doing the Oyster Festival for work, training, and uuuuuuuum…. oysters and champers! It was one of the most mixed emotion weeks of my life I tell you. Arrived in good nic, raced well in the MTB and the night run, bonded with old friends again, etc etc…

Tuesday was when the proverbial hit the fan. I was running along with Jeannie Bomford at the Featherbed trail run and in a moment where I was admiring the (feel the) awesomeness, I rolled my ankle almost to the floor over a small rock on a flat path. Not my proudest moment ever, but I knew I had to run it out to avoid it growing to the elephantitis proportions. bummer. Couldnt walk much for the rest of the day and needless to say I was a wreck wed, thurs, fri as I couldnt train and………… du dum du dum…………. Knysna dished out its finest infected water and a whole kablewey (insert huge cartoon animation of kableweeeeey here) of us ended us vying for bathroom rental space!

Wednesday doesnt exist for everyone but Dale and Big Blade Kennedy who played nurse nurse and helped us back to health. Thanks boys, you guys saved a week heading down the loo……….

We then cruised through the weekend running the Half Marathon with many many PB`s. I ran as fast as the foot would allow and cruised home in 1:23 and some change feeling better than before the start.

The afterparty rocked rocked rocked. squeak that fricken takkie people! Havent seen people go bushbananas like that in a while.

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So, some educational stuff again. Today I`m going to talk nutrition as its on the front of my page at the moment again. I want to talk about something called Nutritional Healing. I’m going to keep this as simple as possible to remove any wiggle room that our minds might seek to create.

Gordo but then again, his knowledge has helped me alot.

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Phew! In other news, KHK Wines are available from me now for a limited time;

Sauvignon Blanc – R38

Merlot Dry Rose – R45

Red House Blend – R50

Shiraz 2006 – R85

thats per bottle…

Adios senoras and senoritas…

Created first among equals, Kleinhoekkloof Wines rests high in the mountains of the Robertson valley, producing some of the best wines on offer to those who know someone who know someone.

Our wines are not available commercially in stores, restaurants or even yet in Specialist Wineshops. Why? Because we havent had enough to supply the demand just our friends, family and business associated have. Once you start with us, you will rarely move to another wine label. There is just something about the location, the terroir, the flavors from the grapes, that keep people coming back for more.

We employed the best services in the area to launch this project 4 years ago. We have the best farmer, who through generations of changes in the area, knows exactly how to get the most from our vineyards. He works seven days a week to make sure nothing passes through, giving us the most pure, natural juice to work with and the opportunity for the winemaker to create something truely magnificent.

Enter Graham Beck Wines…

Irene is the chief winemaker at Graham Beck in Robertson. We contract her skills out to make the best, and she delivers the best. She loves working with our wines, typically describing them as “Moody, large, bold, flamboyant wines that put a smile on your face everytime you drink some”. Indeed, our wines take longer to mature, our wines require more work than her normal work, but she loves the challenge, and we love her work.

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So now that we have grown a little, we are starting to offer wines to a broader audience and you may even see it in 1 or 2 restaurants this year, but I cant promise, as it largely depends on the orders that come in between July-August. Typically, we are sold out before we can think about it.

This year, we are lucky enough to have 4 varietals.

A fresh, nutty, slightly tropical Sauvignon Blanc 2008, with hints of wet grass, fresh dew abd the typical guava flavors typical of the Robertson valley.

Our famous pink rose. 2008 Merlot 100% and this year its full of watermelon, honey, strawberries and wow, wow and more wow it goes down the gullet like a homesick mole. This is our best Merlot Rose yet, and you best get your hands on some. Totally untypical of a rose, its DRY, but with sweet undertones. Drink it really cold and you will be a Rose convert for ever! Beware the Pink, it skops like petrol!

Our 2006 Shiraz has been released! Spicy and mnandi, Shiraz is a gorgeous wine for red meats, tuna, pastas and risotto`s as it brings the flavors of those foods to the fore. Black Pepper, Nutmeg, Chocolate and Green Pepper will flirt with your senses and not leave you with the headache the next morning, our wines are void of bad additives!

Then last, but certainly not least, we have released Taigh, our signature Merlot 2006. Named after our first bullmastiff who stole our hearts, this Merlot will surely do the same. Soft and big, just like the creature its named after, Taigh will have you watching your glass, stealing your attention, and alas, not leaving a dash of foam on your trousers. This wine will be best in 2009 or 2010, but we are releasing it now for those who know about patience, that good things come to those who wait. Super Limited Production.

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So whilst KHK sleeps through winter, we are marketing her wines, as the “Eye” in our mountain watches over the vineyards. Exclusive opportunities exist to have these wines in your restaurants this year, so if you are interested, please contact me directly.

If you want a case or two, please mail me too. There wont be much left soon.

If you wish to share a bottle overlooking something spectacular, call me. I`m all about the good times.

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Gordo Byrn. Gordo has provided me with much of the knowledge I share with you. Sometimes I just quote whole articles he wrote, he`s that good

zootzone.com helps me de-prehystorize my PC abilities.

Seth Godin is one smart marketing lad.

Andrew Brauteseth. Digirati Police no 1.

Cyclingnews. The worlds resource for up to the minute cycling information.

Slowtwitch. Smart people write stuff for the founder of Quintana Roo.

Kleinhoekkloof wines.The choice of people who get laid more than those who dont drink it…

2Oceansvibe. Work is overrated. Live the holiday. Cape Town vibes….

Josh SpearsAnything thats pretty fricken awesomely cool is found on his page.

The Fishbowl has up to the minute political info on our Emmy award winning cabinet.

Enjoy.