The Unexpected

Traditional South African braai (barbeque) consisting of lamb cutlets and boerewors (sausage). It would also be a winner with biltong (beef jerky), Italian charcuterie, or a sumptuous cheese platter with roasted nuts and salty crackers.

This multi-layered soil structure consists of a relatively shallow clay layer at the bottom, followed by Koffieklip in the middle, topped with a thin layer of sand. Due to the clay layer, the vineyard is relatively wet in winter, and therefore the 101-14 rootstock was used for its shallow and ramified root system. This rootstock's advantage is its resistance to most vineyard diseases, it adapts well to clay soils, and delivers a lower yield but a superbly highquality grape. The resultant grape has a lower skin-juice ratio on small and concentrated berries, ultimately leading to dark fruit flavours which are desirable in red Bordeaux varieties. The vineyard is planted in an East West direction, leading to cooler conditions as it allows less direct sunlight onto the foliage and fruit. The vineyard can withstand the South Easter wind, and benefits from the cooling effect of afternoon breezes during summer which is important for the vineyard’s microclimate.

While the wine is kept on the skins for a further 10 to 14 days, the cake is being kept wet. After fermentation, wine is racked from the gross lees and transferred to 2nd fill French Oak barrels to mature for 3 years prior to bottling on 24 July 2020. A further 12 months bottle maturation allows for settling prior to labelling.

Grapes are hand-picked early in the morning before getting too warm in order to retain freshness and prevent oxidation. The grape bunches are then kept in cold storage to further reduce the temperature to 14°Celsius. Bunches are pressed and inoculated with a commercial yeast to start the fermentation process. Daily pump overs ensure colour extraction, aeration of the wine for phenolic development, and softening of the tannins. This process continues until the wine is fermented dry to 10°Balling.

Owners and visionaries, Thian and Elmarie, share an unfaltering passion and love for quality red wine. Thian, a helicopter pilot and business enthusiast, alongside Elmarie, entrepreneur, food stylist and soon-to-be author of her own recipe book, knew they wanted to create a wine that showcased quality wine from the iconic Stellenbosch region. In 2017, the lifetime long dream finally became a reality. To create a wine that represented not only the best of ourselves and our family, but that of the Stellenbosch Wine Route. Our passion for quality red wine led us to this moment, to Berry Wines.