Employees on the ASV Viljoen production farms have again achieved well in this year’s Farmworker of the Year competitions. For the many hard working and dedicated people that work on farms in the grape production areas, this competition is the highlight of the year and it is an opportunity for recognition of commitment to excellence and personal empowerment for winners and entrants in the competition’s various categories.

We have planted Joybells, an early red seedless variety with bell shaped berries. Joybells is a “grower-friendly” variety that has been well received in the market place. It was bred by the ARC (Agriculture Research Council) of South Africa.

During the first week of October the ASV marketing team - Anton Viljoen jr., Gabriel Viljoen, Abie Loubser and George Erasmus - attended the Fruit Attraction trade show in Madrid. “This was a good show with a strong Spanish focus. Although the language barrier was a bit of a challenge, the exhibition was truly top

ASV Farms is excited to announce that the company has been successful in obtaining a production and export license for the highly sought-after Sheehan table grape varieties. This world leading breeding programme Sheehan Genetics LLC belongs to SNFL Ltd.

During the winter of 2016 Villion Farms purchased Oude Schuur, a large farm that produces wine and plums at Nuy in the Breede River valley. The farm is 1000ha in total size and there is currently enough water for in excess of 100ha of development.

  ASV Farms has appointed George Erasmus as the company’s Export Manager. George has been in this newly created post since the start of September 2016 and is assisting the market team to prepare for the forthcoming harvest. Prior to joining ASV Farms George had worked in the retail sector and was based in Dubai

Above: Willie and Maggie Pietersen (centre) with ASV Production Director Anton Viljoen (right) and Prosper Fair Manager Leon Nel (left) in front of the Pietersen’s renovated and enlarged home. Housing improvements at ASV Farms Prosper Fair Farm in South Africa’s Hex River Valley have been sponsored by Global Fruit Point, Germany and have brought smiles

ASV Farms Nirvana unit manager Mario Coetzee won the Third Prize in Established Block division of the 2016 Hex River Valley Block Competition. This was for a young block of Sundance. The photo was taken in this vineyard block and (from left to right) are Petrus Adolf, Assistant Manager, Nooi Adolf, Team Manager, Nella Adonis,

ASV Farms Prosper Fair unit manager Leon Nel won the Second Prize in Young Block division of the 2016 Hex River Valley Block Competition. This was for a young block of Sweet Sapphire from IFG. The photo was taken in this vineyard block and (from left to right) are Maggie Pietersen , Team Leader, Leon

We are lucky and grateful that at a time when many parts of South Africa are suffering from a serious drought, our region received sufficient rain during the winter months in order to provide us with good water security during for the harvest in our dry summer season.