Traildust Cape Blend

This wine is best served chilled (14°C) and combines well with Escargot (garlic snails), ratatouille, and dishes with mushrooms or truffle.

We had an excellent winter with the ideal conditions for the vines during their rest period. Budding started end of August with a lot of rain, which created high disease pressure. In October, we had strong winds that continued until mid-January. The wind had a positive effect on the disease pressure but had a negative effect on flowering, and in the end our yield. Harvest started 7 days earlier at the end of January due to a few heat waves in January. Weather conditions were great during harvest, and we finished early, on 13 March. Quality of the grapes looked excellent even though we are down 20% on our long-term average production. In general, I am very happy with the vintage, although I would have loved a little bit more grapes!

After malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine aged in third-fill French oak barrels for 12 months.

Grapes were picked at optimum ripeness. Made in open fermenters, on the skins for 4–6 days at an average temp. of 26°C. Punching of the cap was done every 2 hours to extract good colour and flavours from the grapes.

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.