Meet the Winemakers of Hemel-en-Aarde: Gordon & Nadia from Newton Johnson Vineyards

Aug 24

Gordon

1. How did you get started in the wine business?

I started by studying Economics and realised it wasn’t for me. In the last year of University, I worked at a winery in Stellenbosch and that is where the bug bit. My dad has always been in the wine industry and in 1996 I joined the family business.

2. What is your winemaking style?

Transparent wines that are honest and authentic. Wines need to say something where they come from. I prefer a natural approach.

3. How do you KNOW when you have a particularly good vintage?

It’s like a fuzzy photo - it takes time to focus. I can be stressful at times.

4. What is one of your favourite varietals to work with and why?

Pinot noir. It’s fragility and its ability, like water, to morph and change to its environment. Not many grapes can do what Pinot noir grapes can do.

5. In the world of wine, who do you most admire and why? Who influenced you?

Aubert de Villaine. A more humble man you will never meet. He spent decades working on a vision and has helped make Burgundy what it is today.

6. Do you have a favourite wine or vintage that you have made?

Seadragon 2017. Single Vineyard.

7. What is one of the hardest things about winemaking year in and year out?

Climate change. Load-shedding (having to use a generator). We need to constantly adapt.

8. What is your most memorable wine or wine tasting experience?

1949 Gevrey – Chambertin (can’t remember the producer) that we had at my parents’ house a few years ago.

9. Do you have a random talent or party trick?

I am an Encyclopedia of useless facts.

10. What has surprised you about being a winemaker?

Competitive arena. PR Load.

Nadia

1. How did you get started in the wine business?

I grew up in a vineyard in the Robertson area. I studied Agriculture in Stellenbosch and in 2003 I went travelling. In 2006 I joined the NJ family.

2. What is your winemaking style?

Getting to know the vineyards intimately.

3. How do you KNOW when you have a particularly good vintage?

Once it has been picked, I have a 50 % idea.

4. What is one of your favourite varietals to work with and why?

Pinot noir. Heartbreak grape. It can be a real challenge. Thin skinned. Susceptible to disease.

5. Do you have a favourite wine or vintage that you have made?

2008 Newton Johnson ‘Domaine’ (later Family Vineyards) Pinot Noir. Our very first vintage from Seadragon vineyard was a light bulb moment that led us to where we are today.

6. What is one of the hardest things about winemaking year in and year out?

Working with the elements.

7. What is your most memorable wine or wine tasting experience?

2009 Domaine de la Romanée Conti Montrachet

8. Do you have a random talent or party trick?

I know how to manage the NJ brothers.

10. What has surprised you about being a winemaker?

Competitive arena. PR Load.