Backsberg Short Overview

8/2/2019 Backsberg Short Overview

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Backsberg, with the Simonsberg Mountain in the background


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Farm entrance


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Farm avenue


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ESTATE HISTORY

The Back family history in South Africa started back at the beginning of thelast century, when C.L. Back arrived in Cape Town, as a penniless politicaland religious refugee from Lithuania. History has it that upon a day,someone walked into his buthery shop in and asked if he would like to buya farm. This question led to the commencement of the family farmingbusiness in 1916, known today as Backsberg Estate Cellars.

Sydney joined his father in 1936. In 1969 he was offered, and accepted,

the opportunity to sell the brand name in use at that time, viz. BacksWines. He then proceeded to register the name Backsberg. The farm atthat point still had significant peach and fruit crops and Sydney was able toensure that he could build the brand without pressure to sell. Grapes werenurtured and as quality wines started leaving the estate, the orchards werereplaced with vineyards.

In 1970 Backsberg was one of the first of the South African cellars to opentheir doors to the public. In 1976 as a fresh and eager graduate from

Stellenbosch University, Michael arrived ready to change the world. Todaysome 30+ years later Backsberg stands proud as a team of what has beenachieved. Presently third generation Michael and his son Simon, farms over300 hectares of land on the slopes of the Simonsberg in the Drakensteinvalley.

BACKSBERG ESTATE CELLARS


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The Back Family, third and fourth

generation: Michael; Jill, Simon and

Jenny


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Backsbergs vineyards on the slops of the Simonsberg Mountain


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OUR WINEMAKER - GUILLAUME NELL

Our winemaker Guillaume Nell first interest came from his father who usedto make wine at home, but it was when he and his family visited an

Austrian winemaker that he realised this is what he wanted to do. AfterGuillaume finished his schooling in Pretoria he made the move down to theCape and completed a B.Sc.Agric (Viticulture and Oenology) at theUniversity of Stellenbosch.

During his student days Guillaume worked at Kanonkop, before taking anassistant winemaker position at Amani vineyards once his studies werecomplete. From there Guillaume travelled two years working harvests inCalifornia, the Barossa Valley, and Chianti before returning home to work aswinemaker at Muratie in 2001, and then The Winery of Good Hope in 2005before joining Backsberg in 2008.

Guillaumes approach fits that ofBacksbergs perfectly, making authenticwines, with a gentle hand, and a simple approach. For himthe use ofwood is something that should not be used in excess, but rather in asupportive manner so the wine can tell its own story. His favourite regionof wine is the Rhone and working with those sorts of varieties, which isperfect for Backsberg with our new plantings of Grenache, Carignan andShirazshowing great promise for the future, says Guillaume.



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Backsberg cellar team


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Backsberg premium range


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AWARDS

Backsberg has been winning awards for decades, Here is a list of ourrecent accomplishments both local (South Africa) and internationally.Whether it is Sauvignon Blanc or Brandy, Backsberg is committed toabsolute quality.

International Spirits Challenge 2008Sydney Back Brandy 10 year Gold

Winemakers Choice 2008Klein Babylonstoren 2004 Diamond Award

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2009Babylons Toren Red 2003 Great Gold

Michelangelo Wine Awards 2009

John Martin Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Gold



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AWARDS CONTINUED

Winemakers Choice Awards 2009Klein Babylonstoren 2005 Diamond Award

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2010Pumphouse Shiraz 2007 Gold

International Wine Challenge UK 2010

John Martin Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Silver

Veritas 2010Chenin Blanc 2010 SilverPinotage 2008 SilverCabernet Sauvignon 2007 SilverSauvignon Blanc 2010 Silver



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Environmental Care

In 2006 Backsberg became the first wine producer in South Africa and

one of only three in the world to gain Carbon Neutral status by

sequestrating its carbon emissions.

A comprehensive annual carbon audit reviews all activities, from overall

energy and fuel consumption to CO2 emitted during fermentation. The

level of detail considered in the audit allows Backsberg to deliver a

range of Carbon Neutral fruit and wine to clients, both domestically and

internationally. Backsbergs carbon offset solutions involve a greening

programme within the nearby village of Klapmuts, managed by the

internationally respected Jeunesse Park, CEO of Food and Trees for

Africa.

Backsberg delivers to wine lovers throughout the world, fine wines

individually crafted within our philosophy of producing wines with a

high level of drinkability which are also Carbon Neutral, - Michael

Back.



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The natural vegetation, Fynbos, under conservation


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Offsetting Carbon

emissions through

tree-planting at a

local school.


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PET Wine Bottles, a first for SA


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Tread Lightly by Backsberg


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PRODUCTION CAPACITY

Annual production at Backsberg Estate Cellars is 80000 cases of12x750ml, with the capacity to increase this to 100000 cases. Backsbergproduces a wide range of both premium red and white wines.



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The landscaping team


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Scenery


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Conference & wedding venue

Restaurant

Restaurant


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Historic vat cellar


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Brandy Still


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Freedom Road

Empowerment Project


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Fig production

Blueberry production


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Michael Back


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Simon Back


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Backsberg useful links:

Web: http://www.backsberg.co.za

Blog: http://www.backsberg.co.za/blog

Facebook: http://facebook.com/backsberg

Twitter: http://twitter.com/backsberg

Twitter: http://twitter.com/simonback
http://www.backsberg.co.za/http://www.backsberg.co.za/bloghttp://facebook.com/backsberghttp://twitter.com/backsberghttp://twitter.com/simonbackhttp://twitter.com/simonbackhttp://twitter.com/simonbackhttp://twitter.com/backsberghttp://facebook.com/backsberghttp://www.backsberg.co.za/bloghttp://www.backsberg.co.za/

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Backsberg Short Overview