The Skoongesig and Vredenhof vineyards are situated in Firgrove in the prime wine growing region of Stellenbosch’s Helderberg area. The farms are located along the False Bay rim, about two kilometers from the ocean. This proximity to the sea ensures a constant cool breeze, even ripening of the fruit and exceptional quality. The gentle slopes, ideal elevation and granite-based soils provide perfect conditions. These meticulously tended vineyards benefit from the Mediterranean climate of long sunny days, cool evenings in summer and wet winters — a winning combination to create wines that wow palates from Cape Town to Copenhagen.
http://www.grahambeckwines.com/home
The Indaba brand was first launched in the U.S. in 1996, shortly after South Africa transitioned to a democratic government. Indaba is the Zulu word for “a meeting of the minds,” or a traditional gathering of tribal leaders. The brand was created as a celebration of the democratization process in South Africa, and from its inception the goal was to convey the spirit of South Africa to American consumers.
The Indaba range is selected from emerging regions of the Cape winelands such as Robertson, Wellington, and the Breede River Valley. Production is overseen by Bruwer Raats, a winemaker from Raats Family Wines and long-term consultant for Indaba. All are bottled screw caps and environmentally friendly packaging. In addition to garnering regular “Best Buy” nods from
Wine Enthusiast, Indaba was praised in Robert Parker’s “Wine Advocate,” which described the wines as “truly mind-boggling values” for the past two consecutive vintages.
A commitment to social responsibility is a key part of the Indaba philosophy. A portion of the proceeds from the brand’s global sales funds a scholarship program that supports wine-related studies for students from formerly disenfranchised communities in South Africa.
Source: Wine.com
Idiom Collection is an award-winning range that consists of blends of noble varietals and single-cultivar renditions of Italian and Mediterranean grape varietals. The Collection comes from Da Capo Vineyards, located in the southernmost tip of the Stellenbosch wine region. The second oldest wine region in South Africa after Constantia, it’s surrounded by the Cape Fold mountain range and is influenced by nearby False Bay.
Source: BottegaFamilyWine
Whalehaven Wines has a reputation for crafting a classic range of wines largely made from French varietals. The Whalehaven winery is situated at the entrance to the Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Valley in the cool climate of the Overberg Wine Region, near the seaside town of Hermanus. The region has in recent vintages established itself as a premium producer of chardonnay and pinot noir due to its appellation and close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Hermanus is famous for whale watching, and for providing a safe haven for nursing mothers and their calves.
Source: BottegaFamilyWine
Belfield is a family owned and run wine estate in the heart of Elgin Valley, whose soil is suited to red wines — it’s well drained, rich in iron, and faces north, creating a pocket of land that produces cooler-climate red wines.
The Elgin Valley has become an exciting destination for wine enthusiasts and winemakers from other wine areas have moved into this up-and-coming region recognizing its potential.
All wines produced from Belfield vineyards are hand crafted from four varietals planted on the estate — cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and shiraz.
Source: Belfield
The Spice Route Winery is located in Malmesbury in the warm rolling hills along the Cape West Coast. Owner Charles Back matches traditional practices in the vineyards with modern, minimalist approaches in the cellar and produces ripe and deep-flavored wines.
The red soils sustain unirrigated bush vine through the long warm summers. These harsh conditions are tempered by cool Atlantic breezes rolling in overnight. Since its inception in 1997, Spice Route has had what it describes as a stratospheric climb into the top echelons of the South African wine industry.
Source: SpiceRouteWines
Grapes have been grown on Neethlingshof for more than 300 years. The Dutch East-India Company established a “victualing station” at the Cape to supply its passing ships. The farm was initially named De Wolvendans (The Dance of Wolves). After Johannes Henoch Neethling bought the farm in the 1820s, the name changed to Neethlingshof.
The Sauvignon Blanc 2013 is from a single estate. Its maker describes it as having a fresh and crisp lingering aftertaste of tropical fruits. Neethlingshof wine has earned the prestigious Veritas and John Platter awards.
Sources: Neethlingshof
Established in 1989, Bouchard Finlayson is a boutique winery that makes pinot noir, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc.
It’s located in the wine ward of Walker Bay near Hermanus, an hour and a half from Cape Town. The 125-hectare property has 22 hectares of vineyard, and the rest is mountain land covered by indigenous fynbos — flora of
the Western Cape.
Bouchard Finlayson Blanc Mer 2013 has a fresh citrus flavor that pairs well with fish, sushi, and oysters, according to its maker.
Source: Bouchardfinlayson
Nine vineyard owners in the Durbanville district joined forces to create Durbanville Hills. Durbanville Hills cellar sits atop a series of rolling hills with views of Table Mountain and Table Bay. The Durbanville ward
is considered one of the Cape’s two coolest wine regions because of the breezes from Table Bay and False Bay, and afternoon mists that moisten the slopes. Those conditions are ideal for slow ripening of the grapes, allowing them to develop their intense character and full flavor, according to the wine makers.
Durbanville Hills Merlot 2012 is a dark ruby wine with hints of mint chocolate and cedar wood. It’s 100% Merlot.
Sources: www.wine.co.za, durbanvillehills
“Wine Spectator” just published its top 100 wines of 2014. No. 29 on the list is Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 2012. It was rated at 93 and priced at $46 US.
Hamilton Russell is the flag-bearer for pinot noir and chardonnay in South Africa. Founder Tim Hamilton Russell died in 2013, but his son Anthony and winemaker Hannes Storm have managed the estate for some years. Its 160 acres are planted in a mix of shale and sandstone. Anthony said the pinot prefers the shale. In recent vintages, Storm used lightly toasted barrels for less overt spice and gentler structure and he now racks the wine during aging to help focus the aroma. The U.S. imports 2700 cases.
Sources: Wine Spectator December 31, 2014-January 2015 Top 100 Wines of 2014, Hamilton Russel
Ranked No. 63 on the “Wine Spectator” list of Top 100 Wines of 2014 is the Buitenverwachting sauvignon blanc.
Constantia Bayten 2013 is rated 90 and has a $15 average retail value.
Buitenverwachting means ”beyond expectation,” and this winery, once part of the Constantia estate, makes sauvignon blanc that lives up to the name, especially at the price. The wines are known for their richness and ability to age. Owner Lars Maack and winemakers Hermann Kirschbaum and Brad Paton achieve this by overnight skin contact before fermenting in stainless steel. This wine spends up to eight months on its lees to gain texture and complexity. The U.S. imports 4000 cases.
Sources: Wine Spectator Dec. 31, 2014-January 2015 Top 100 Wines of 2014, Buitenverwachting
No. 82 on the “Wine Spectator” list of Top 100 Wines of 2014 is the Mulderbosch Faithful Hound Stellenbosch 2011. It has a rating of 91 and retails for $25.
This 2011 wine represents the highest rating for this red, named after an abandoned dog that made the Mulderbosch property its home. Since 2011, Mulderbosch has been owned by prominent wine investor Charles Banks of Terroir Capital. The wine is a blend of five primary varieties in different proportions depending on the vintage. They are sourced from both Mulderbosch’s Folie Bay vineyards and others owned in Stellenbosch. In 2011 Cabernet franc was the dominant variety at 45 percent of this blend, which is aged 18 months in French oak. The U.S. imports 3000 cases.
Sources: Wine Spectator December 31, 2014-January 2015 Top 100 Wines of 2014, Mulderbosch
