Due to the age of the old six-hectare vineyard (planted in 1947), it was dying off and producing a poor crop, making it financially unviable. Danie Steytler wanted to rip all the vines out, but Yngvild persuaded him to keep one hectare 'for sentimental and marketing reasons'. So he transplanted some of the old vines to replace the gaps in the single uittand [gap-toothed] hectare.
'It took a lot of time - and time costs money - to dig up each vine and replant it and I didn’t think they would take, but most did and even bore fruit again!' says Danie delightedly.
It's the usual toutrek [tug-of-war] between us,' says Yngvild happily. She's undertaken to make a return on his investment by selling all the wine he makes from this block 'and telling people the wonderful story about saving these old vines'.
She continues her global sorties, doing deals with producers, buyers, and agents. That's when she's not involved in children's and adult education projects among the farm-worker communities on Kaapzicht and the surrounding Bottelary area.
And trying to find time for her extensive, rambling garden, in recent years a sanctuary (officially recognised by the local nature conservator) for her 'tribe' of rescued tortoises of all shapes, sizes, ages, and personalities.
Whenever there's a minute to spare, this tireless couple likes to head up into the hills behind the farmyard, accompanied by galloping Dobermans Trigger and Geisha (the little Jack Russells drive in style on their master's lap). Like their neighbouring wine farmers, they're avid conservationists of whatever indigenous vegetation was here before they took tenure.
The view across their vine-clad slopes to distant Table Mountain is special. 'Sometimes we meet Gary [a fellow Guild member] and Kathy Jordan at the top of the hill - they farm just on the other side - and we share a bottle of bubbly.'
Set among the vineyards is the 'memorial mound'. On a small ridge under some trees are benches with plaques commemorating Steytler family members, including Danie's grandfather Major David C. Steytler and father George Steytler.
Nearby is the winemaker's favourite spot: a rocky outcrop of massive granite boulders in a shady copse of gnarled old wild olive trees.
'One day we want to retire in a little house up here; we've already planted a few trees. It's a place of peace and tranquillity. We come up here and look out over the living land and it invigorates me; it makes me realise what hard work is all about, why we do what we do.'
Korrel toast recipe by Danie Steytler served with butternut soup and paired with Kaapzicht Chenin Blanc....
Traditional lamb shank potjie recipe by Danie Steytler paired with Steytler Pentagon wine....