Wine of Origin: Cape Aghullas Winery: Quoin Rock Location: Stellenbosch Winemaker: Narina Cloete Background: The Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes for this third release were grown on Quoin Rock's vineyards in Cape Aghullas. Here, the vines benefit from the ocean's influence close by that provide the cool onshore winds and the perfect amount of...
Wine of Origin: Swartland Winery: Antebellum Vineyards Location: Riebeek Kasteel Winemaker: Johan Meyer Background: Produced from two blocks of Chenin Blanc, this wine is made in an oxidative style - when the grapes turn brown just before fermentation starts. 60 percent of the grapes were fermented naturally (no addition of commercial yeast) in small...
Winemaker: Pieter Badenhorst Background: The Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest wines, including the 2010, have received the ultimate five-star rating for seven consecutive years in Platter’s Wine Guide creating a challenge for Fleur du Cap winemaker Pieter Badenhorst. "Noble Late Harvest is one of the most...
Winemaker: Martin Lamprecht Background: The grapes were sourced from a 30-year-old bushvine vineyard on the slopes of the Paardeberg. After harvesting, the grapes were de-stemmed and crushed and left for four hours to obtain maximum skin contact. Older 300-litre barrels were used for fermentation after which the wine...
Winemaker: Dewaldt Heyns Region: Tulbagh Background: Celebrating 10 vintages at Saronsberg, Dewaldt has built up a reputation for his unique approach of winemaking on this property, especially with his Rhone and Bordeaux style wines. The Rooi 2011 is a five-way blend of Bordeaux varieties and after fermentation in both open...
Winemaker: Andries de Klerk Region: Stellenbosch Ward: Simonsberg Background: This grand estate is steeped in history with added French flair since 1993.Traditional and restrained wine making are reflected in their award winning wines. The Merlot 2010 is produced from vines aged between 8 and 19 years which are planted on 9.5...
Background: Produced from 20-year-old Merlot vines at the foot of the Voor Paardeberg Mountain. This is a perfect position for extra sunlight which helps to eliminate any unwanted green flavours. The wine was aged on the lees for six months for extra complexity and the alcohol...
Winery: Journeys End Winemaker: Leon Esterhuizen Region: Sir Lowry’s Pass Background: Named Haystack from the practise of planting wheat in between the vineyard rows which provides extra nutrients for the soil, as well as help prevent soil erosion. The wine was fermented and matured in second and third fill Francois Frere French...
While enjoying a relaxing post-New Year break at Gloria Bay between Villiersdorp and Bot River, we spent time visiting a few of the local wineries, one of them being Gabrielskloof. The winery is located a few kilometres travelling east from Bot River towards Caledon and well...
Not content with her busy day job smousing wine for several top producers in Bot River, Melissa Nelson took on the formidable challenge to make her own wine, a 100% Chardonnay Methode Cap Classique bubbly. The inspiration to make a bubbly rather than a still wine came from...
