The birth of our national grape
In the year 1925, South Africa’s very first professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University, Dr Abraham Perold, crossed cuttings of Cinsaut (AKA Hermitage) and Pinot Noir. Although, resulting in the creation of South Africa’s very first varietal, Pinotage, was only planted much later, in 1941, in the Bottelary Ward of Stellenbosch, on a property situated on the Bottelary Road.
The cultivar was first celebrated in 1959, as a single varietal Pinotage, when it was awarded the General Smuts Trophy at the Cape Wine Show. However, it was only in 1961 that Pinotage was printed on a label as the variety.
In the early days when our winemakers were finding a way to work with the variety, Pinotage was the subject of much criticism. Now 97 years after its creation, we seem to find ourselves in a Pinotage revolution. In fact, according to the 2021 vineyard status booklet from SAWIS (South African Wine Information Services), Pinotage is the 6th most planted variety in South Africa with 6,570 hectares under vine.
4th generation Danie Steytler Jnr, the current Winemaker and Managing Director of Kaapzicht Wines, grew up making wine with his father in the cellar and produced his first wine at 10 years old. After studying winemaking at Stellenbosch University, he travelled abroad making wine for 5 years before returning to the family farm.
Historically, Kaapzicht has always been planted with Chenin Blanc, Cinsaut, Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon. These four varieties still remain the focus of the portfolio of wines produced and are divided into three ranges, with each range of wines showcasing an expression of Chenin Blanc and Pinotage.
“Pinotage needs no introduction – it’s a South African through and through… Created in Stellenbosch in 1925 and first planted commercially less than 10kms from Kaapzicht. We are tremendously proud of our own grape varietal. It’s thick-skinned, while its ability to sugar load itself and its fast fermentation characteristics are much like our Springboks; hard, fast and sometimes too sweet… Our family has been working with both these two South African legends since my Great grandfather started farming in Bottelary. I’m passionate about trying new styles of wine and we are constantly experimenting to see if we can get more expressive wines and flaunt our beautiful terroir.” Danie Steytler Jnr
The Family Range
This range consists of 4 wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Pinotage Rose and a Red Blend. The white wines and rose are tank fermented and bottled without maturing in the barrel, resulting in vibrant, crisp and fresh wines. They are the first release of the new vintage, released annualy, shortly after the completion of the harvest. The red blend is matured in barrel, with the vintage being released 18-24 months after the grapes were harvested. The focus is to produce quality wines under the R100 retail price point.
The Terroir Range
This range consists of 7 wines, each wine produced from selected blocks of vineyards on the farm and all matured in barrel from 10 months to 20 months, pending the wine and varietal. These wines depict varietal expression, with elegance, structure and beautiful textures on the palate. The wines are released 12 to 24 months after vintage.
In this range there are two very different styles of Pinotage produced. The Skraalhans Pinotage depicts a leaner style, and is harvested slightly earlier for a lower alcohol content. It’s a partially whole-bunch and whole berry fermented, 3 days skin contact wine which has been aged in 500l older barrels. The Rooiland Pinotage is a more traditional style of pinotage which is harvested later in the season, to achieve a fuller and riper pallet, and matured for 16 months in 28% new French oak barrels.
The Steytler Range
The Premium Range carrying the Family name, consists of one Chenin Blanc and three reds, namely, Pinotage, Cape Blend, and Bordeaux Blend. These red wines are only produced in exceptional vintages, so you can rest assured that if the quality is not the best it will not be bottled.
A smaller production of 1,800 bottles per annum of the second oldest registered block of Chenin Blanc in South Africa and 5, 500 bottles per annum of the three red wines. All wines are matured in Barrel, 10 months for the Chenin Blanc and 20 months for the red wines, with 80% of the maturation undertaken in new French oak barrels.
The Kaapzicht vision is to continue building the family business on the solid foundation of quality wines produced from estate fruit, whilst adapting and transforming with the times to in order to one day hand it over to the 5th Generation.
“Wine is our passion, our livelihood and our life. We enjoy living in harmony, not only within our own family, but also with our surroundings: our farm community, the multiple cultures around us and, also, with nature. Our vision is to make world-class wines while making the world around us a better place”.
