Stories are a great part of the wine world, and history is of course the source of many of these stories. Diemersfontein recently launched their Clockmaker wine, a delicious Old Vine Chenin Blanc. This was no ordinary launch, as the wine and its heritage are inextricably linked to the Zanardi family in Bolzano, Italy. Cesare Zanardi was a prisoner of war during the 2nd World War and spent years working on the Diemersfontein farm in Wellington. Cesare returned to Italy after the war in 1945 and the owners of Diemersfontein, the Sonnenberg family kept in touch for many years but at some point lost the connection. Current custodians, David and Sue Sonnenberg recently re-established relations with Cesare's enthusiastic children Piero and sister Arabella. Cesare had spent his life in Italy as an expert and well-known European watch and clockmaker, and so it was a natural conclusion to name their new (old vine) Chenin The Clockmaker - in honour of the talented Cesare. The launch of the wine was held at the farm recently with a thoroughly passionate Italian theme from the food, to the music (wonderful opera arias by talented UCT Opera school students: Tenor Luvo Maranti, soprano Zizipho Funzo, and pianist Jose Dias, to the al fresco dinner sharing delicious fare and singing with fun company. Even Piero Zanardi came over and was vocal in his appreciation of the dedication of the wine to his talented father Cesare. The Sonnenbergs have been huge supporters of music and opera in particular, and their generosity and dedication to the arts, music, history and great wine are an inspiration. Read more HERE about the wonderful story.