Award Winning Wines
ELYSIUM
The fifth vintage of this unique co-fermented wine is only possible due to the rare occurrence of merlot and syrah ripening at the same time on the Holden Manz farm in Franschhoek. The individual varietals were hand-picked on 11 April 2021 by our Cellarmaster and then hand-sorted allowing only the most optimally ripe berries to be used for this wine. Four brand new 225 litre French oak barrels with medium toast were filled with a mix of merlot and syrah berries. The barrels were rolled regularly until spontaneous fermentation occurred. Cuvaison took place over approximately 50 days.
MERLOT
2021 harvest was approx. 2 weeks later than normal due to cooler weather throughout the season, which persisted through harvest time and expressed itself with vines of higher acidity. The season produced strong vine growth, good bunch and berry sizes. Dark garnet with a bright red rim. Black cherry dominates with blackberry, subtle cedar, fynbos and wild fig. Full bodied. Black cherries and plum on entry with a complex mid-palate and a mocha finish – very moreish! Soft round tannins with long velvety fruity finish.
Reserve
CABERNET FRANC
A subtly fragrant aromatic wine with mulberries, blackberries and raspberry leaf prevalent on the nose giving way to lavender and spice notes with just a whiff of tarragon on the palate. Enchanting red fruit nose.
Rich and elegant wine with predominant cassis and dark berries with red fruit notes on top. Well balanced savoury flavours with good volume and a mineral aftertaste. Wood is well integrated. Oodles of richness and tension with a long finish. Harvested in the first week of April 2021 compared with 19th to 24th March for the 2020 vintage. A mix of stainless steel tank and barrel fermented using wild yeast before 22 months of maturation in a selection of French oak barrels. Selected bunches from our cabernet franc vineyard were berry sorted before a 5 day cold soak. Berries were transferred to a combination of stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels (60% new) and allowed to ferment slowly using wild yeast at low temperatures. Post fermentation maturation of 41 days. This wine consists of mainly free run juice with some juice from the heart of the press. The wine will continue to develop in bottle over the next 7-10 years. Limited production of 121 x 1.5l magnums and 2913 x 750ml bottles. Bottled 10 May 2023.
SYRAH
2018/19 was a true winemaker’s vintage. A relatively cold cool and wet winter gave way to late and disorganized flowering. Our vineyard team had to apply plenty of anticipation and thought to deal with the changing and unusual weather which disrupted the regular pattern of activities. A generally cooler vintage has produced wines with exceptional elegance.
Savory nose with floral hints of dried violets, plums, black cherries and notes of fraises des bois combined with black pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg
Semillon
Reserve
CHARDONNAY
The 2021 harvest was approx. 2 weeks later than normal due to cooler weather throughout the season, which persisted through harvest time and expressed itself with vines of higher acidity. The season produced strong vine growth, good bunch, and berry sizes. The 2021 chardonnay grapes were specially sourced and hand-selected by our Cellar Master from two sites, a high-altitude slope on the
Banhoek side of the Simonsberg Mountain and a vineyard in the Franschhoek Valley. These locations are diverse, but each site has its characteristics that blend well to create this fine chardonnay.
Extended lees contact adds a creaminess and complexity, presenting an appealing length of palette. Full mouth feel, crisp clean acidity highlighting ripe lemons and limes. Elegant flavours of Cape gooseberry, white peach and elderflower interwoven with complex acidity provide a long, smooth finish.
Reserve
CHENIN BLANC
A relatively cold and wet winter gave way to late and disorganized flowering. Our vineyard team had to apply plenty of anticipation and thought to deal with the changing and unusual weather which disrupted the regular pattern of activities. A generally cooler vintage has produced wines with exceptional elegance.
BIG G
The 2019/20 growing season was characterized by cooler but windy conditions. The fruit set was negatively impacted by wind damage. The vintage was moderately warm. Bunches and berries were smaller than average but with lots of fruit intensity. The wines from this vintage are developing great depth of flavour.
Cassis, blackberry, graphite, nuances of mulberry and plum backed with hints of cedar wood and pencil shavings.
The individual varieties were handpicked and sorted allowing only the best berries to be used for this wine. Selected blocks in the vineyard are allocated to be used in making the Big G. All grapes fermented wild. Cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot were harvested between 24 March 2020 and 4 April 2020 and co-fermented in open top fermenters. Matured for 24 months in 30% new 225 litre French oak barrels. 10493 x 750ml bottles and 363 x 1500ml magnums. Bottled 30 September 2022.
CHARDONNAY
Barrel fermented symphony combines citrus, white blossoms, summer melon, passion fruit and just a touch of well integrated high quality French oak in this Meursault style chardonnay. Fermented using indigenous yeast.
PROPRIETORS' WHITE BLEND
A stunning blend of 29% Chenin Blanc, 28% Semillon, 23% Chardonnay, 20% Viognier
Berries were hand-selected in the cool of the early morning. The assemblage of Chenin Blanc, Semillon, chardonnay and viognier took place towards the end of 2022. Prior to that the individual components were vinified separately using indigeneous yeasts in a variety of containers including 225 and 500-litre French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. This wine delivers a naturally fresh, creamy and crisp palate. Approximately 30% of this wine was barrel matured.
PROPRIETORS' RED BLEND
Dark ruby red in the centre with a brick red brim. An exceptionally concentrated wine, which initially reveals ripe red fruit, evolving into rich savoury notes, cassis, and spice, brought together by a hint of pencil shavings. A rich palate bursting with red fruit, complemented by hints of white pepper and nutmeg. With its soft, silky texture, this wine boasts an elegantly structured finish that lingers yet still offers enough grip for more ageing.
CHENIN BLANC
Hand selected bunches from a certified single block of 1983 planted bush vine vineyard in the Simonsberg/Paarl border area. Harvested on 8th February 2023. Berries cooled to 5ºC prior to “Champagne” crush cycle. Clarified juice transferred by gravity to barrels and tanks for fermentation. Wild yeast fermentation with 20% vinified and matured in a mix of second and third fill French oak barrels. All the wine was stirred continually on the fine lees.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Rich and full palate with complex array of dark fruit. The middle palate is full and shows width with complexity and depth leading to a long, full finish. Fine wood tannins combine with well balanced acidity.
SYRAH
2021 harvest was approx. 2 weeks later than normal due to cooler weather throughout the season, which persisted through harvest time and expressed itself with vines of higher acidity. The season produced strong vine growth, good bunch and berry sizes.
These grapes were picked later than the previous year on 25th March 2021 and were 100% fermented using wild yeasts in stainless steel tank of which 20% was whole cluster. The grapes were selected from distinct parcels with varying soil types. This complexity in growing has resulted in a wonderful intricacy in the wine. The grapes were picked at optimal ripeness to enable the correct balance between sugar and phenolic components. Individual pickings were bunch and berry sorted, crushed and destalked to tank. Fermentation was initiated after 7 days cold soaking. This Syrah was fermented using wild yeast in an open-topped stainless steel pigeage tank and matured in second-fill 500-litre and 225 litre French oak barrels for 25 months.
VISIONAIRE
A visionary blend! Spicy Bordeaux style with homage to Hermitage. Cabernet sauvignon and merlot dominate this multi-award winning wine with a supporting cast of cabernet franc, Malbec, petit verdot spiced up with a decent serving of Syrah!
VERNISSAGE
Merlot 38%, Syrah 36%, Cabernet Sauvignon 26%
The 2021 harvest was approximately 2 weeks later than normal due to cooler weather throughout the season, which persisted through harvest time and expressed itself with higher acidity wines. The season produced strong vine growth with good bunch and berry sizes.This approachable yet refined wine offers enticing aromas of mulberry and blackberry that seamlessly extend from the nose to the palate. With its superb balance and smooth tannins, it's an exceptional choice for any occasion.
HIRO ROSÉ
Lively full mouth feel with wet stone minerality, sea salt, fresh apricots and Japanese raspberries. A creamy elegant wine with tonnes of finesse, linearity and a lingering finish. A complex wine designed to delight and make a special occasion unique!
The wine is made in true Provençal style. Dry and fruit driven, the wine is made from 86% Grenache and 14% Cinsault. Grapes are hand harvested early morning at around 23 balling. The winemaking process is executed in reductive conditions with the use of dry ice and carbon dioxide gas. Grapes are crushed at 5°C with approximately 3 hours skin contact gained during a light pressing. Two days of juice settling followed by racking before spontaneous fermentation at 14°C for approximately 20 days. The wine is matured on fine lees for an additional 8 months with a regular batônnage before the final blending and bottling. Approximately 20% was fermented in a 2 year old 500 litre Baron French oak barrel and stirred on the lees until filtered. Picked 31 January to 20 February 2023. Bottled 15 November 2024.
ROTHKO ROSÉ
The wine is made in true Provençal style. Dry and fruit driven, the wine is made from 53% Grenache, 24% Syrah, 23% Cinsault. Whole bunch pressed under dry ice using the Champagne press cycle, average skin contact time is less than 3 hours. This maximises extraction of fruit flavours while minimizing colour transfer. Picked on various dates between 29 January and 20 February 2024. Bottled 16 October 2024.
Best drunk with friends whilst enjoying nature’s magnificence but
if necessary freshly shucked salty oysters should do the trick!
GOOD SPORT CAPE VINTAGE
