Mornings on Rondekop have a special kind of magic. The first light catches the slopes, accentuating the soft contours of our vineyards and the gentle movement of our cover crops. There’s a stillness, yet an undercurrent of vitality.
Although it is winter, and mornings are now crisp, if not wet, I still like to take a moment to pause, step out onto the grass, and feel the earth directly beneath my feet.
This simple practice, grounding (also known as earthing), is more than just a wellness technique. Although it may sound a little ‘woo-woo,’ there is a body of evidence supporting its physiological and psychological benefits. It’s a return to our roots, an act of mindfulness that deepens our connection to the land. Everything we do begins with the soil. Our Rondekop Philosophy has always emphasised respect for our environment, knowing that the character of our wines is a direct reflection of the health of our land.
Over the years, we have shared stories of Rondekop’s evolving landscape, which include adopting regenerative principles, planting diverse cover crops, and welcoming animals back to graze among the vines. These aren’t just agricultural techniques; rather, commitments to building a healthier, more resilient ecosystem. As Nic and Christo often say, “You can feel the difference the moment you dig your hands into the earth.” The soil is soft, friable, and so full of life it almost seems to breathe. Once compacted and heavy from years of conventional practices, it now yields gently to the hand, rich in organic matter and teeming with earthworms, microbes, and mycorrhizal fungi.
This transformation hasn’t happened by accident. It’s the result of listening, observing, and learning from Nature herself — a recurring theme you’ll recognise from previous Vineyards Views. When we talk about “working in harmony with Nature,” we mean engaging in a conversation with our land, constantly adjusting to what it needs.
All this careful stewardship leads to something tangible, something you can taste. Healthier soils nourish healthier vines, and healthier vines bear more expressive fruit. We don’t chase uniformity or excessive polish; we embrace complexity and difference, the subtle hallmarks of Rondekop’s unique terroir.
This philosophy extends to how we finish each bottle. With soil and vine in such remarkable balance, minimal intervention best honours the journey from earth to grape to glass. That’s why, after extended conversations and extensive tastings, we bottle our wines unfiltered. It might seem counterintuitive in a world obsessed with crystal clarity, but filtration can strip away some of the delicate aromas and mouthfeel that make our wines so unmistakably Oldenburg. By bottling unfiltered, we preserve more of Rondekop’s essence, allowing even the slightest nuance to shine through.
You may notice this in the texture, a subtle richness in every sip, or greater aromatic depth. In some vintages, the wine may appear a touch hazier, but this is the mark of authenticity, the visible link back to our soils. It’s a choice to translate Nature with honesty, not just ambition.
In this month’s accompanying video, Nic explains in more detail our commitment to bottling unfiltered wines.
As the July rains replenish the soil and its reserves, and the air grows brisk, we invite you to join us in this ongoing journey. Every bottle from Oldenburg is an invitation to reconnect to Nature, and the honest, unfiltered pleasures of wine grown and made with care.
