V I N E Y A R D S   &   W I N E R Y

Deep red soils anchor the vines at Laibach in a firm, sustaining embrace. No irrigation is needed. Laibach's 40 hectares of vineyards are planted on the North-East facing slopes of the Simonsberg that offer an excellent angle for sun exposure, the key to photosynthetic efficiency and flavour development.

Since 1994 we replanted the entire vineyards to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Chardonnay. Through meticu-lous pruning we limit each vine to an average of 16 buds versus the typical 36 buds per vine. In our new vineyards, very little has been left to chance - aside from the weather. A substantial portion of our grapes is grown organically under the supervision of SGS. A myriad of Ladybirds is keeping the mealybugs under control.

TOTAL AREA UNDER VINES:	42 hectares
SOIL TYPES:	Clovelly and Glenrosa
CULTIVAR SIZES IN HECTARES:	Cabernet Sauvignon 10.00 hectares Merlot 10.00 hectares Pinotage 7.00 hectares Chardonnay 6.00 hectares Cabernet Franc 3.00 hectares Petit Verdot 2.00 hectares Malbec 2.00 hectares Chenin Blanc 1.00 hectare Viognier 1.00 hectare
CULTIVATION PRACTICES:	A system of minimum cultivation by cover crops.
NO IRRIGATION; AVERAGE RAINFALL:	± 900 mm / year. Winter rainfall.
TEMPERATURE:	Maximum 30°C. Minimum 4°C.
CROP AND CANOPY MANAGEMENT:	We control our crop so that there's a good balance between vigor and crop load. (± 6 tons / hectare)
SLOPES:	North - East facing slopes.
HARVESTING TIME:	± 15 February till 15 March.

Our state-of-the-art winery at the foot of the Simonsberg with its underground maturation cellar has a handling capacity of 300 tons and was built in 1996. Visible from the R 44 the design is characterized by strong form, clean lines and raw materials. Two elongated buildings with domed roofs are linked by an axis running from the square "engine room" at the back through the upper level of the cellar to an entrance tower and onto a "jetty" jutting over the vineyards. The jetty affords an unusual bird's-eye-view over a sea of vines, then down the valley towards distant Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean.