OUR CRAFT
As vintners of Franschhoek – we feel that it is our duty to act as the custodians and keepers of the vines we are
fortunate enough to nurture.
We craft wines from hallowed old vines, and special pockets of terroir stretching from our home in the
Franschhoek Valley, to the unique corners of the Cape’s winelands.
Made in a cellar standing proudly in the town’s old main road, these wines tell the stories that have shaped our
history. Of pieces of earth that have yielded the fruit an illustrious industry was founded on - by the characters
who have now become our legends.
The stories of these unique vines and people with their rich heritage still resonate in the wines we produce today.
Wines with character and staying power. Wines which speak not only to the senses, but stir something in the soul.
fortunate enough to nurture.
We craft wines from hallowed old vines, and special pockets of terroir stretching from our home in the
Franschhoek Valley, to the unique corners of the Cape’s winelands.
Made in a cellar standing proudly in the town’s old main road, these wines tell the stories that have shaped our
history. Of pieces of earth that have yielded the fruit an illustrious industry was founded on - by the characters
who have now become our legends.
The stories of these unique vines and people with their rich heritage still resonate in the wines we produce today.
Wines with character and staying power. Wines which speak not only to the senses, but stir something in the soul.
OUR VINEYARDS
GRAND-MÈRE SEMILLON VINEYARD
The grapes used to make this wine are from a special, Certified Heritage Old Bush Vine called La Colline, planted in 1936, affectionately known as the “Grand-Mère” (‘Grandmother’ in French). It shows the grace and tenacity exemplified by a family matriarch or grandmother.
It is a high-density planting of around 7 000 vines per hectare, more than double the amount of vines per hectare compared to the average vineyard in South Africa. It is a south-east facing vineyard, unirrigated and located at an altitude of 350m above sea level between growth and yields over the decades resulting in a beautifully textured wine. The yields per vine are low, making for exceptional concentration of fruit.
Having won multiple awards, our Grand-Mère has stood the test of time and continues to show the quality that old vines produce.
It is a high-density planting of around 7 000 vines per hectare, more than double the amount of vines per hectare compared to the average vineyard in South Africa. It is a south-east facing vineyard, unirrigated and located at an altitude of 350m above sea level between growth and yields over the decades resulting in a beautifully textured wine. The yields per vine are low, making for exceptional concentration of fruit.
Having won multiple awards, our Grand-Mère has stood the test of time and continues to show the quality that old vines produce.
PEPPER WIND VINEYARD
This vineyard is located on a slope, exposed to regular cool afternoon breezes giving the wine
freshness and purity. The South Easter wind, which cools these slopes in the summer months, carries the peppery spices that add a unique flavour to this wine.
This vineyard is trellised, using a vertical shoot positioning. It is pruned with short spurs and in summer all the unnecessary shoots are removed to get better light penetration and quality. At veraison, all the uneven bunches are thinned to ensure that grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness and quality.
freshness and purity. The South Easter wind, which cools these slopes in the summer months, carries the peppery spices that add a unique flavour to this wine.
This vineyard is trellised, using a vertical shoot positioning. It is pruned with short spurs and in summer all the unnecessary shoots are removed to get better light penetration and quality. At veraison, all the uneven bunches are thinned to ensure that grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness and quality.
STONE TRAIL VINEYARD
The worn-smooth stones of a meandering trail tell the story of the dedicated farm hands that tend to
this isolated vineyard, planted in 1982 amongst the fynbos and forest on the slopes of the Franschhoek valley.
This Certified Heritage Old Vine is unirrigated and at an altitude of 380m above sea level. The vineyard
started as a trellised vineyard, but over the years it became an improvised bush vine. At this high altitude, the vineyard is exposed to cool afternoon breezes every day. Its grapes give bright acidity to this perfectly balanced wine.
this isolated vineyard, planted in 1982 amongst the fynbos and forest on the slopes of the Franschhoek valley.
This Certified Heritage Old Vine is unirrigated and at an altitude of 380m above sea level. The vineyard
started as a trellised vineyard, but over the years it became an improvised bush vine. At this high altitude, the vineyard is exposed to cool afternoon breezes every day. Its grapes give bright acidity to this perfectly balanced wine.
12 MILE VINEYARD
This Syrah reflects the loyal perseverance of the postman of old. Not deterred by rain or shine, a 12-mile distance or fatigue, this messenger never faltered.
The vineyard is located in the Swartland at 370m above sea level. The region's Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters leads to rich, concentrated wines. The area cools down significantly in the evenings year-round. Good foliage management ensures only the right amount of sunlight reaches the bunches to ensure freshness and fruit retention and supplementary irrigation is performed only when necessary.
Due to the drier environment and cool nights, optimal ripeness is reached early in certain years and grapes can be pressed at lower sugars.
The vineyard is located in the Swartland at 370m above sea level. The region's Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters leads to rich, concentrated wines. The area cools down significantly in the evenings year-round. Good foliage management ensures only the right amount of sunlight reaches the bunches to ensure freshness and fruit retention and supplementary irrigation is performed only when necessary.
Due to the drier environment and cool nights, optimal ripeness is reached early in certain years and grapes can be pressed at lower sugars.
ANEMOS VINEYARD
This Chenin Blanc takes its name from the ancient Greek word for ‘wind’.
Anemos reveals something of the wild and spiritual nature of this wine’s birthplace. This Swartland vineyard also contains diverse soils, including decomposed granite, shale, and schist, which keep the growth perfectly balanced with concentrated fruit.
Anemos reveals something of the wild and spiritual nature of this wine’s birthplace. This Swartland vineyard also contains diverse soils, including decomposed granite, shale, and schist, which keep the growth perfectly balanced with concentrated fruit.
