Bernhard Veller, owner of Nitida Winery in Durbanville.

We chat with one of our members each month about their business, what makes them lie awake at night and what gives them hope.

1. Tell us more about Nitida?

My wife and I purchased the farm in 1990 primarily as a place of residence. We had recently moved down from Johannesburg and wanted more space than the typical southern Cape Town properties. We started planting vineyards in 1992 and made our first wines in 1995. The property spans 37 ha in total, of which 16 ha is under vines.

Our focus from the beginning was to drive farm sales. Currently with two restaurants on the farm, we sell in excess of 45% of our wines to consumers off the farm. We have a strong focus on local trade and sell another 45% through distributors and national wholesalers. No more than 10% of our wines are destined for the export market. This tends to be made up of small parcels to a number of European and North American markets.

Although the buildings of the two restaurants belong to the farm, the actual operational side is managed separately from Nitida. The cooperation between the entities is, however very close.

The farm and winery permanently employ about 15 people, although the total employment on the farm is around 100.

2. How did you experience 2020?

2020 has been a very challenging year, primarily because of the uncertainty around wine sales that existed for such a long time. It is extremely difficult to make any sensible plans in such an environment.

To overcome the sales challenges particularly, we did not want to get involved in a discount strategy, but rather launched two very successful competitions to generate sales activity. We ensured that our online presence and social media activities were to the point and this generated good activity around the brand.

We feel strongly that we are getting much better support from the local community and we have tried hard to fulfil these expectations.

3. With the 2021 wine grape harvest around the corner, what was the season like thus far and what do are your expectations of the new crop?

The 2021 harvest is going to be very different because of the late start to the season as a result of cold conditions during spring. The crop is looking average at this stage, but we are hopeful for good quality.

The excess wine in the cellar due to lack of sales during lockdown need to be carefully managed going forward. We did not do anything differently in the vineyards, but continue to focus on producing the best fruit possible.

4. Any exciting plans underway in 2021?

2021 is going to be a year of consolidation and coming to terms with what the new normal is going to be. From an overall farm perspective we obtained approval to build a boutique hotel on the farm.

5. What is your message to other cellars or producers regarding the way forward?

Look for opportunities outside your traditional market and stay flexible and fleet-footed.