Lockdown Inspiration: A Vineyard Grows in Cape Town

Amid the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020, Natasha Jacka, like many, found herself confined with limited places to go. However, what initially seemed restrictive soon turned into an opportunity. She started her vineyard at her family residence in South Africa, propelling her dream of winemaking within reach.

Wine making is a slow process. It took four years before her first harvest. The debut of her wines, crafted from vines planted and tended to in her family’s Cape Town garden, was met with commendation from critics. Natasha Jacka and her mother, Sonia, were hands-on in their Cape Town vineyard.

Reflecting on her success, Jacka expressed relief. “It was a lot of work. If it didn’t succeed, I can’t imagine how I’d feel,” she confessed. For her, it was a labor of love rather than a financial pursuit. Christian Eedes, editor of winemag.co.za, called Jacka’s vineyard “a triumph of hope over good sense,” knowing the challenges of making quality wine and earning from a small vineyard.

“There’s plenty of space in the world for craft and handmade,” Eedes noted, contrasting with mass production. “It’s made with thought and care, and often hard to come by.”

The pandemic hit as Jacka, 27, focused on her passion for viticulture at an agricultural college in Stellenbosch. Initially working with chefs, she shifted gears to study viticulture as COVID confined her to her parents’ home in Noordhoek, Cape Town. Seeing potential, she imagined vines out her window. Gathering family support led to significant work clearing ground and planting over 1,000 vines, overcoming challenges like horses nibbling on them.

Her vineyard has spurred her winemaking career. Under her Alinea brand, she also sources grapes from around Cape Town, a region rich in winemaking heritage. Jacka continues to be hands-on, taking on multiple roles in the production process, all with a sense of humor.

Eedes, captivated by the micro-vineyard born during a lockdown, summed it up: “She managed to not be bored, unlike the rest of us. It’s truly an extraordinary endeavor.”