A new chapter for the vintage 2010
Written by Robert on Sun, Dec 20, 2009
in Categories: News, Winery and Vineyards
Without accepting the fact that everything changes, we cannot find perfect composure. But unfortunately, although it is true, it is sometimes not easy for us to accept it and yes, certain changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves. It’s like opening the last of bottle wine of an outstanding vintage. Therefore even on our family Estate we need to leave chapters behind us before we can enter another.
It is with regret that we have to announce the departure of our winemaker Cerina De Jongh beginning of December after a 7 year tenure here at Seidelberg Wine Estate. Initially working as an assistant in the cellar – Cerina later took over the position as winemaker and has been a great asset to us due to her hard work in the cellar, dedication and passion for our terroir as well as the making of fine wine. We wish Cerina the best of luck for her future endeavours. We are however very excited to be able to announce that we have been able to secure the services of Alicia Rechner as head winemaker who will join us December 2009.
After completing her B.Sc Agric, Viticulture & Oenology at the University of Stellenbosch, Alicia worked as assistant in leading wineries such as “Stellenzicht” in Stellenbosch , ‘Tatachilla” in Australia and later became winemaker of “Backsberg” where she became familiar with the Paarl terroir and earned a number of accolades for her very good work in the winery. Alicia is ably assisted by Minke Smit in the cellar. Our winemaking team will ensure to begin the painstaking process of turning high quality fruit into premium wines, each with their own individual character and personality.
We, Seidelberg Wine Estate, see change as a growth, as a movement forward. Alicia will move to the farm with her husband and 2 boys’ during the month of December. Our Seidelberg Blog is most excited to welcome Alicia and her family and shall conquer the next vintage together. I look enthusiastic into the future and can’t wait to taste a new style of art from 2010 on, because change always comes bearing gifts.
December 20th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
oughhhh, sounds like a big change, but I’m sure, you made the right choice to keep your standard.
Looking forward to taste the new wines….
dirk
December 21st, 2009 at 9:33 am
Robert,
I’m really sad to hear that cerina is going…she made such exceptional wines. But as nothing always stays the same, I am looking forward to the new vintages of Alicia…Waiting anxiously!
December 21st, 2009 at 10:11 am
I wish Cerina the best of luck wherever she goes next. I also wish Alicia the best of luck for her new challenge! I’m sure she’ll be great……and it’s great to hear that the wines will still have a woman’s touch!
-Maria
December 21st, 2009 at 11:31 am
We are saying goodbye and thank you to Cerina and wishing her all the best in her future and a big Welcome to Alicia and her family to the Seidelberg family!
A change can always be a good thing…
And I am relly excited to hear news about the new style of art in 2010!
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:27 am
dear seidelberg team,
first of all i would like to express my deepest thankfulness for the great work cerina did for your estate and for my palate. since my visit of the seidelberg estate my very personal idea of paarl is strictly linked with cerina’s very own signature in style which can be found in every bottle of your wide range of high-quality wine.
if i could join you right now, i would raise my glass and bid farewell to cerina. my favourite choice for that ceremony? certainly cerina’s very special project wine “cecilia” - the smooth yet spicy cuvee made from shiraz, mourvedre, malbec and a giant shot of responsibilty (by actively supporting a street kids project).
but as robert also mentioned, change is the basic prerequisite for progress and growth. that’s why nature is full of changes. and that’s why wine is one of the world’s most exciting products. even if you could manage to drink every single wine in the world and recognize the character of each - the next harvest will mix up all experience made so far. new year, new luck!
i am sure that alicia will need no luck in order to continue the great success story of seidelberg. she will be able to rely on her own and on the whole seidelberg team’s expertise and exceptional experience. may she and her family have a warm welcome at the estate and may her work reflect the inspiring atmosphere of the unique place and the spirit of the great people making seidelberg so special.
one more reason to look forward to 2010 - a year full of exciting changes.
for seidelberg. for south africa. and for all of us.
cheers!
December 23rd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Hello Seidelberg guys,
I am sure Cerina did a great job at Seidelberg but I guess your team will help your new winemaker to continue the great work that you did over the last years.
… enjoying yummy Seidelberg Chardonnay
January 6th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Hello Alicia,
I hope you will make as nice Sparkling Rosé (DLJ) like the one I opened for New Year ! Have a good start in 2010, all the best for you !
Tim
January 14th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Hi Peter,
I totally agree with you…and I will open some Chardonnay as well
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Hello guys,
I am just curious what´s happening at Seidelberg ? any news about harvesting season ? please post some news !
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Hey Seidelberg friends,
I hope all of you have had a great start in the new year…
I am looking forward to read some more news about you!
We are drinking a really delicious Sparkling Rosé now…
Cheers!
February 13th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Dear Robert and fellow bloggers
It is Saturday afternoon and I am trying to catch up on the weeks’ paperwork. Not a very interesting exercise, and in pursuit of something more exciting I find myself wandering onto Seidelberg’s blog… Congratulations Robert, I think you are doing a fantastic job of it!
A big “Thank You, it was my pleasure!” to everyone who wished me luck and who enjoyed the wines I made over the years. I know you will continue to enjoy the Seidelberg Wines under Alicia’s experienced hand.
A special word of thanks to rot_weiss_essen for raising a glass of “Cecilia” with me. Seidelberg will always be the place where Cecilia came into being and therefor a special place to me. I am very excited about the future of the wine and the project. I have been contemplating a “white Cecilia” and hope to shed some light on the subject on Cecilia’s blog soon!
Best wishes to the Seidelberg team and the friens of Seidelberg!
Cerina
http://www.ceciliawines.co.za