Award Winning Wines

ELYSIUM

The sixth 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 4 April 2022 by our Cellarmaster and then hand-sorted allowing only the most optimally ripe berries to be used for this wine. Five 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. 27 months matured in new French oak barrels. Strictly limited production of 1493 bottles. Bottled 11 July 2024.

Reserve

MERLOT

Winter 2021 saw cool temperatures and good strong rains allowing the vines a chance to rest. Growing season was dominated by moderate temperatures, moderate rainfall and winds and a slow ripening period. The 2022 harvest was a little later than normal due to cooler weather throughout the season, which persisted into harvest and resulted in grapes with 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. Harvested between 4th and 12th April 2022 compared with the 11th and 14th of March for the 2021 vintage. Hand selected bunches underwent individual berry selection to ensure only the best fruit was fermented. 100% of the fruit was fermented as berries in stainless steel tank. All fermentation was spontaneous (wild) with no commercial yeast added. 32 days post-fermentation maceration. Matured for 26 months in 60% new French oak barrels. Bottled 11 July 2024. Limited production of 60 x 1.5l magnum bottles and 2988 750ml bottles.

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.

Reserve

SYRAH

The 2019/20 growing season was characterised by cooler but windy conditions. 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.

Savoury nose with floral hints of dried violets, plums, black cherries and notes of fraises des bois combined with black pepper, cinnamon and nut

Ripe and bold dark fruit with savoury and spicy notes, think Cornas/Hermitage style, black pepper, rounded silky tannins, long powerful finish.

Reserve

Semillon

A 25 year old patch of Franschhoek grown grapes within sight of Holden Manz produced a yield around 6 tonnes per hectare. Grapes were manually harvested early in the morning, refrigerated to 5C before undergoing whole bunch press. Following settling and racking 25% was naturally fermented in second fill barrels. The remainder was fermented at 14C in stainless steel tanks. Wine was stirred on fine lees for 9 months prior to bottling on 8 November 2023. Limited production of 1,041 bottles produced.

Reserve

CHARDONNAY

The 2022 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 2022 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 own characteristics that blend well to create this fine chardonnay.

Extended lees contact adds a creaminess and complexity, presenting an appealing length of palate. 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

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. Moderate weather allowed for slower ripening and longer hang times for the bunches, which translated into deeper concentrated colour and flavour.

Cassis, blackberry, graphite, nuances of mulberry and plum backed with hints of cedar wood and pencil shavingsbe 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 13 March 2021 and 6 April 2021 and cofermented in open top fermenters. Matured for 20 months in 30% new 225 litre French oak barrels. 15183 x 750ml bottles and 725 x 1500ml magnums. Bottled 13 December 2023.

Blend: 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc

CHARDONNAY

The 2023 chardonnay grapes were specially sourced and hand-selected by our Cellar Master from 3 sites - a high-altitude slope on the Banhoek side of the Simonsberg Mountain, a cooler Franschhoek vineyard and a block in limestone-dominated Robertson. These locations are selected to combine magnificently to produce a rounded well-balanced wine. Winter 2022 saw average rainfall and plenty of cold days keeping the vines dormant. The growing season was characterised by above average temperatures and regular rains until December. January and February was hot and dry which allowed picking in near-perfect conditions with cooler mornings allowing fruit to be harvested in an ideal way

Eleven months lees contact adds a refined creaminess and lemon/lime citrus complexity, presenting an appealing texture with a full mouth and length. Elegant flavours of citrus on the entrance and white blossom, crossed with a generous minerality, some salinity and complex acidity to provide a long, smooth finish.

PROPRIETORS' WHITE BLEND

A stunning blend of 40% Chardonnay, 40% Viognier, 20% Chenin Blanc

Berries were hand-selected in the cool of the early morning. The assemblage of chardonnay, viognier and chenin blanc took place in the middle of 2019. 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. Just under 20% of this wine underwent malolactic fermentation.

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

Winter 2023 saw above average rainfall and plenty of cold days keeping the vines dormant. The growing season was characterised by average temperatures and regular rains until November. January and February was hot and dry which allowed picking in near perfect conditions with cooler mornings allowing fruit to be harvested in an ideal way.

An elegant, perfumed example of Chenin Blanc with symphonic notes of citrus, tropical notes, white flowers and a whiff of white peach. Medium-bodied with a fine line of acidity. On the palate, bright pear, lemon meringue with lingering flavours of summer melon and a hint of toasted brioche.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

These grapes were picked slightly later than the previous year on 22nd March to 5th April 2023 from specific parcels on the Estate with varying soil types. This complexity in growing has resulted in a wonderful intricacy in the wine. Grapes were picked at optimal ripeness to enable the correct balance between sugar and phenolic components. Individual batches were bunch and berry sorted, crushed and destalked to tank. Natural fermentation started after 7 days of cold soaking. The wine was matured in first and second-fill 225-litre French oak barrels for 22 months. Bottled 20 February 2025. Only 5000 bottles.

SYRAH

These grapes were picked later than 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

Cabernet Sauvignon 36%, Merlot 31%, Syrah 21%, Cabernet Franc 12%

Smooth elegant focused palate with mid-palate ripeness and spicy supple finish. Red and black fruits dominate, balanced with a graphite steeliness. The tannins are soft and refined and exquisitely round off the aromas of spice and fresh plum. Savoury, layered complexity with lots of finesse. The multiple components of Visionaire allow each to show off its own unique characters while combining to produce an experience greater than the parts – each varietal a celebrated soloist combining with the orchestra of the blend!

VERNISSAGE

Winter 2021 saw cool temperatures and good strong rains, allowing the vines a chance to rest. The growing season was dominated by moderate temperatures, moderate rainfall and winds and a slow ripening period. 2022 harvest was a little later than normal due to cooler weather throughout the season, which persisted through harvest time and expressed itself with grapes of higher acidity. The season produced strong vine growth, good bunch and berry sizes.

Deep ruby center with a lighter red rim.

Individual varieties were bunch and berry sorted, crushed and destalked to tank. Fermentation was initiated after 8 days cold soaking. Minimal additions were made to preserve the true cultivar characteristics of the grapes and to minimize man-made impact on the wine. After careful blending trials and numerous test tastings the final blend combined a variety of batches each contributing in its own unique way to make this a balanced, expressive and fruit driven wine. Maturation included 18 months in 3rd fill French oak barrels and for the remainder of the time in stainless steel before bottling. Bottling took place on 17 July 2025.

Blend: Merlot 76%, Syrah 16%, Cabernet Sauvignon 8%

HIRO ROSÉ

Winter 2024 saw an extraordinary level of rainfall, almost double the long term average and plenty of cold days allowing the vines plenty of rest and ensuring well-stocked water reserves. The growing season was characterised by lower than average temperatures and a relatively dry spring contributing to low disease pressure. Summer 2025 saw moderate temperatures with a couple of heat spikes which allowed picking in near perfect conditions with cooler mornings allowing fruit to be harvested in an ideal way. Cooler evenings in particular heped preserve acidity and slow ripening which supported flavour and phenolic development.

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!

ROTHKO ROSÉ

The wine is made in true Provençal style. Dry and fruit driven, the wine is made from 49% Grenache, 28% 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 30 January and 26 February 2025. Bottled 19 November 2025.

Generous, crisp, full mouth feel. Smooth, creamy elegant wine with tonnes of finesse and a long finish. Muti-layered lingering wine which sparkles like a diamond! Early season cherries on the palate with a riverstone minerality.

GOOD SPORT CAPE VINTAGE

Smooth, soft entry with sweet fruits, fynbos honeyed nougat and pleasant acidity on the palate. This wine is rich and warm with long length and finish.

The Syrah for the 2023 vintage was chosen from a single block manicured to produce 5 tonnes per hectare. Grapes were picked at optimal ripeness to get the correct balance between sugar and phenolics after which the berries were bunch and berry sorted, crushed and destalked to tank. After 3 days of cold soak at 5°C, alcoholic fermentation was started. At 12 balling the wine was pressed directly to tank and fortified with grape spirits then transferred from tank to 2 year old 225 litre French oak barrels and matured for 12 months before bottling and sealing by hand. Enjoy over the next 10 years. Picked 5th April 2023, bottled 12 September 2024. 1,244 bottles produced.