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.

Good rainfall was received during winter, but unfortunately wet conditions continued into the growing season - the cumulative summer precipitation nearly equalling the annual average. On Heritage weekend of 24 September, historic maximum rainfall data was revised when a massive 196mm event caused devastating flooding and landslides across the region. Wet and windy conditions prevailed during flower, reducing yields on most cultivars. Fortunately, the inclement weather dissipated before the onset of harvest, allowing ripeness to progress unhindered on the small and concentrated crop. Picking started in the second week of February, but in a very congested fashion, as ripening of various cultivars converged towards the first week of March.

While estate-grown Riesling forms the majority of this unique blend, Viognier from a well-established vineyard in Paarl made another appearance. 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 2024.

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.