Pinch. Yes, this is my new life and this is where I will be living for the next nine months.
Perhaps I should backtrack. I have just moved into Elgin Valley, a historically fruit growing region of South Africa about one hour from Cape Town, an hour from Stellenbosch (the Napa of the SA wine industry), and twenty minutes from the coast. According to my preliminary assessments, there are about 10 people close to my age that live in this valley full time-- of those I have met about 3, all of them guys. I am told that there is a girl my age working at the local school, but up to now, I'm just going on what others have said, but have yet to meet an Elgin 20-something girl in the flesh. So, yes, I have landed myself firmly into farming country, my granddad would be proud! Besides being the home of Appletizer (a famous sparkling apple drink famous everywhere but the US) this is a fantastic boutique wine growing region whose cool climate makes it ideal for Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs. More wine credentials to come... suffices to say that this is no ordinary farming valley, it is home to some of South Africa's finest winemakers and, though I'm obviously biased, finest wine farms. Given this, there is the greatest mix of traditional farmers and your wine gurus, a fascinating mix of high-brow society with the salt of the earth.
The first question everyone who hears my American accent here asks is invariably, "how the hell did you end up here in Elgin Valley?" Valid question, and probably the next place to start. That I came to Malawi for medical work, went on Safari with my family, came to the Western Cape and just couldn't leave this place seems a bit of a cheap response, but so true. Coming into South Africa brought back memories of Napa-- some of my best memories to date-- and coming to Elgin brought back memories of tours around the Santa Cruz mountains with our informal Stanny wine tasting group (thinking of you Claire, Nids, X and Mariana!) So, I went on the internet to look for job openings here, found Justin's posting for someone with marketing experience, shot off a resume AND a month, a trip out to Elgin and a move from Stellenbosch later-- here I am.
At this moment, as I write this blog, I am sitting in our tasting room overlooking the dam, a glass of Rosé in hand to finish off my day. "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" just came on and I'm thinking two things-- how exactly did I get here and Damn. Wish you all were beside me so here is a picture of exactly what I'm looking at. Imagine yourself beside me on the couch, a wine glass in hand, nod your head three times and you will be here with Otis Redding and I, finishing off another day on the farm.
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