Blanc de Mer

Effortless drinking qualities make the Blanc de Mer a popular aperitif, however it’s suitability to fresh seafood is unmatched – think Thai red prawn curry, bouillabaisse or simply oysters. The wine will also complement any picnic basket, packed for a whale watching excursion around the world renowned Walker Bay.

Moderate and mild winter weather was experienced with an average rainfall, which continued into spring and early summer. These conditions, ideal for slow and even ripening, were interrupted during the middle of December, with the arrival of some refreshing showers. January saw a continuation of dry, cool conditions, coinciding neatly with an earlier maturity of those cultivars that usually ripen first. During the third week of February however, a massive 80mm downpour set the tone for the rest of the vintage.By the last day of picking, 240mm had fallen since the start of harvest. Rigorous selection of only the ripe and healthy bunches proved critical. Most vineyards cropped lower than the long-term average, largely due to adverse flowering conditions.

While estate-grown Riesling forms the majority of this unique blend, this year Viognier from a well-established vineyard in Paarl was also incorporated. The fruit arrived ripe and healthy - beautifully complementing the steely acidity of our own grapes. All bunches were fully destemmed before pressing and were allowed a cool fermentation in stainless steel. A portion of whole-bunch pressed Chardonnay, also seeing no oak, completed the blend. The wine was bottled in June 2023.

One of South Africa’s most awarded boutique wine estates lies in a scenic valley just an hour and a half from Cape Town called Hemel-en-Aarde or Heaven-and-Earth. Framed by great fold mountains and breath-taking ocean views it is one of the coolest wine-making regions in the Cape with duplex soil structures and sun-facing slopes. The promise of the unique terroir is harnessed by winemaker Chris Albrecht in slow-ripened flavour-rich wines of exceptional quality. Bouchard Finlayson is globally acclaimed for producing the best Pinot Noir in South Africa as well as exceptional Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs. The vineyards are surrounded by an indigenous floral conservancy alive with birdsong and wildflowers. Beyond the beauty of the farm itself you can discover the enchantments of the local area. Some of the popular attractions of nearby Hermanus include whale-watching; shark-cage diving; mountain hiking or biking; browsing art antiques and shops; and of course the white sandy beaches.