Sunrise spills over the valley, painting the vines gold. That’s my cue. I’m Enzo — Farm Manager, part-time napper, and full-time guardian of Long Dog Wines. My job? To make sure everything runs smoother than Dino’s best blend.
The day starts with vineyard rounds. I pad through the rows just as the mist begins to lift — checking for broken shoots, paw prints, or the odd feather left behind by a guineafowl with poor judgment. Our vines grow on ancient shale and clay soils, perfect for deep roots and bold flavours. They say terroir is everything; I say it’s all in the nose — and mine’s never wrong.
Did you know?
The soils beneath our vines are a mix of ancient shale and clay. That unique combination gives our wines their depth and minerality — a little taste of the land in every sip.
By mid-morning, it’s all action. The bakkie rumbles to life, and the vineyard team gets moving. Suckering the vines, checking the trellising, and canopy management are on the agenda. I make sure the humans stay on task — a firm stare usually does the trick.
Next stop: the cellar. Dino, our winemaker, calls it “the heart of the farm.” It smells like oak barrels and ambition down there. Fermentation tanks bubble softly — yeast transforming grape juice into wine magic. Did you know each grape variety ferments at a slightly different temperature? Dino does. I mostly just guard the snacks.
Did you know?
“Suckering” is the careful removal of unwanted shoots that grow on the vine. These little suckers steal energy from the main plant, so by trimming them away, we help the vine focus its strength on producing better grapes and richer wine.
Making sure the Suckering Team gets every last sucker!
After lunch, I make my rounds to check on irrigation. We use a sustainable drip system that saves water — every drop counts out here. It’s one of the small ways we care for the land that gives us so much.
Noodle, our Head of Security, joins me for afternoon patrol. He’s feisty, focused, and takes his job as seriously as I take my afternoon nap. Together, we keep an eye on Ziggy, who tends to “accidentally” lead guests into off-limits areas for photo ops.
Did you know?
Our drip irrigation system delivers water directly to the roots, drop by drop. It saves up to 40% more water than traditional methods — a big win in dry South African summers.
As the sun dips behind the ridge, the light turns honey-gold across the vineyard. The air smells of dust, grapes, and a day well spent. I sit on the porch, watching the bakkie return. Tomorrow, we’ll do it all again — the same rhythm, the same care, the same love for this patch of land we call home.
Running a vineyard isn’t all glamour — it’s early mornings, muddy paws, and plenty of teamwork. But every bottle that leaves this farm carries a little bit of all of us — our soil, our sweat, our stories.
And if you ask me, that’s what makes it truly Long Dog.
- Enzo – Long Dog Farm Manager (and lover of biscuits)
