Traildust

This wine is best served chilled (14°C) and combines well with duck or game carpaccio.

It is the third year running where we had a cool dry winter which meant not enough rain. We had less than 40% of our normal rainfall leading up to the harvest and the year before that we had 50% less. So, the big drought issues continue. We also had uneven budding during the start of growth and uneven ripening of grapes close to harvest, so sorting of the berries was a must. Also, on the positive side there was less diseases/ pests and growth vigour in the vineyards due to the dry weather. With all the negatives we expected the worse and was actually presently surprised with the yields and quality of the grapes. The start of harvest was more normal for us compared to the previous 3 vintages and that was early February. This continued until middle March where we finished with Cabernet Sauvignon. In general, the grapes were healthy, berries were very small and concentrated and our yield was the same as last year, 550ton in total. But we are still 20% down on our long-term average yield. Quality of the wines so far looks extremely good with rich dark colours and brilliant fruit on all the red cultivars.

After malolactic fermentation the wine aged in third fill French oak barrels for 12 months.

5 days on the skins at 27°C in open fermenters. Punch downs was done every 2 hours during fermentation.

Since planting the first vineyards in Stellenbosch more than thirty years ago, we have become one of the leading red wine producers in South Africa with an unrivalled love for Pinotage. For us, winemaking is a way of life and a privilege. We love what we do, and our hope is for consumers to share in the same thrill and excitement we experience when enjoying this local legend. Our specialty is showcasing the country’s heritage varietal, with which we strive to tell a story with each of these wines. Make yourself at home, fill your glass, and join us on this journey.