South African woman plants vineyard during COVID lockdown, earns wine praise
9 reported
Natasha Jacka used the suspension of her studies at an agricultural college during a COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 to plant her own vineyard at her family home in Cape Town, South Africa. The vineyard, located in her parents' sea-facing yard in the suburb of Noordhoek, produced debut wines that received high praise from critics. Jacka squeezed 1,400 vines into two blocks, one for a white blend and one for a syrah red wine varietal. The first harvest and vintage came four years after planting. Christian Eedes, editor of South Africa's online wine review publication winemag.co.za, called the project "a triumph of hope over good sense" and noted it is "the opposite of mass produced." Jacka, now 32, said the project was a "labor of love" and has since launched a larger winemaking career with her Alinea line of wines.
What’s reported
Natasha Jacka planted a vineyard at her parents' home in Cape Town, South Africa, during a COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
She used the suspension of her studies at an agricultural college to start the project.
The vineyard has 1,400 vines in two blocks: one for a white blend, one for a syrah red wine varietal.
The first harvest and vintage occurred four years after planting.
Jacka's debut wines were greeted with high praise by critics.
Christian Eedes, editor of winemag.co.za, described the project as "a triumph of hope over good sense."
Jacka's parents helped, though her mother Sonia was banned from planting after putting a vine in upside down.
A miniature horse named Spirit on the property ate some vines, causing the loss of "one or two."
Jacka now produces five other wines under her Alinea line from grapes sourced elsewhere.
Key figures
Natasha Jacka: woman who planted the vineyard and winemaker
Sonia Jacka: Natasha's mother
Christian Eedes: editor of winemag.co.za
Spirit: miniature horse on the property
Sources: abcnews.com
