The Bernard Series Bush Vine Pinotage

Beef, Poultry, Game (deer, venison)

These bush vine vineyards arise from deep, weathered granite soils of Stellenbosch. The vineyards are shaped and cooled by close proximity to refreshing sea breezes from the nearby Atlantic Ocean. This, together with high clay content within the soils, encourages slow ripening, allowing extended hanging time and therefore producing beautifully ripe tannins while preserving natural freshness and purity in the grapes. Naturally low yielding bush vines, meticulously manicured to perfection, ensure only the finest quality grapes are carefully hand picked at optimal ripeness at peak physiological maturity levels.

The wine completed two rackings while maturing for a total of fourteen months in first to third fill French oak barrels, with an average of forty percent being first fill. Minimal intervention throughout the entire process preserves a natural, authentic expression of Pinotage.

The vines were hand harvested during early mornings, with meticulous bunch sorting to ensure only the finest grapes reached the Bellingham Cellar. Upon arrival at the cellar, the fruit was further sorted and carefully destemmed. Fermentation occurred in open top concrete tanks, using pump overs and manual punch downs every three hours, continuing for approximately five days. After gentle pressing, the free run wine was transferred directly into barrels where malolactic fermentation occurred.

Bellingham is a historic Franschhoek wine name dating back to 1693, with a legacy of Cape firsts including rosé and single-varietal Shiraz. Today, the range draws from selected Western Cape vineyards to produce contemporary South African wines with structure, regional character and broad everyday appeal.