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Historic wine made from Robben Island vines
Weltevrede Wine Estate had the honour of making a very significant wine for the 94th birthday of Mr Nelson Mandela. Seven years ago the dream was born when seven ancient vines were discovered in the prison garden on Robben Island.
These vines grow where Mr Mandela buried his handwritten manuscript of Long Walk to Freedom in the prison garden.
The Weltevrede Aansporingstrust, an empowerment trust of winegrowers who for generations have worked the vines and made wine on Weltevrede Estate outside Bonnievale, volunteered to be the custodians of the Robben Island vines. It was no easy task involving many early morning trips to the island, hard labour, coping with difficult weather, rough seas and ravenous birds that devoured two vintages. After three years of restoring the vineyard vintage 2012 eventually yielded a crop. The historic wine is made and the first bottle is presented as a gift to Mr Mandela for his 94th Birthday.
read more on wine.co.za
