MCC Zinfandel

The wine pairs well with all seafood.

The grapes were sourced from vineyards on our farm &from a Wellington site. The Stellenbosch blocks (planted 1991 & 2001) are planted wide (2,5m x 1,4m) on medium potential soils namely Tukulu & Kroonstad, with a seven-wire Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP) trellis system & using drip irrigation. Both vineyards are around 90m above sea level. The Wellington site is planted wide (2.7m x 1.5m) on Klapmuts soil & is around 180m above sea level. Annual production varies between 6 to 8 tons per hectare.

Tirage/bottle fermentation followed. The wine was aged on lees in the bottle for 14 months before disgorgement.

Handpicked grapes were transported to the cellar for immediate processing. Light whole bunch pressing of the grapes ensured for optimal flavour extraction & minimal colour & phenol extraction. The juice was left to settle for 24 hours & racked to stainless steel tanks. Cold alcoholic fermentation ensured the preservation of the wine’s aromatics.

Down to earth with a rich history and winemaking tradition, Blaauwklippen produces wines of distinction in harmony with the simplicity of country living. Shaped by centuries, people are at the heart of Blaauwklippen’s legacy that is shared in abundance with contemporary design and artisanal flair. In 1977 the first Zinfandel vineyards to be planted in South Africa were established on Blaauwklippen with the first vintage released in 1980. This pioneering spirit led us to produce world-class Zinfandel for decades and today we remain one of only three Zinfandel producers in the country. Launched in 1984, the Blaauwklippen Blending Competition is the only one of its kind in South Africa, aimed at consumers rather than producers, inviting wine-lovers to try out the art of wine blending for themselves. Narina Cloete has been the winemaker at Blaauwklippen since June 2016. She graduated with an Honours BSc Agriculture (Oenology) cum laude from the University of Stellenbosch. She serves on various wine judging panels including the South African Young Wine Show, FNB Top 10 Sauvignon Blanc, Cape Vintners Classification, Blaauwklippen Blending Competition, Veritas Awards and the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. She also judged in Spain at the 2018 Zarcillo International Wine Competition. The Blaauwklippen Family Market, held every Sunday, is a popular Winelands destination with an array of food, arts and crafts, live music, a monthly antiques fair and the estate’s child-friendly facilities and activities.