Caroline

The fruit was harvested by hand at optimal ripeness and transported to the cellar in refrigerated trucks. The grapes were whole bunch pressed, and the juice settled overnight before fermentation and maturation in a combination of older French oak foudres, 3rd and 4th fill 500ℓ puncheons, and stainless steel (35%).

Riebeeksrivier farm is situated on the slopes of the Kasteelberg, overlooking the Swartland and the iconic Table Mountain. Its unique terroir, especially the shale soils, expresses itself strongly in the wine with unique varietal characteristics. The vines for this blend are all planted on south-facing slopes at elevations of 350–400 meters above sea level. The oldest Chenin Blanc bush vines were planted in 1987, and more recently, a small parcel of Chenin Blanc was planted in 2013. The higher density plantings of Viognier (2009), Roussanne (2009), and Marsanne (2011/12) are all échalas trellised (vine trained on its own wooden stake). The 2020 blend includes the maiden harvest of Piquepoul Blanc, a variety renowned for its high natural acidity and grown primarily in the southern Rhone Valley and Languedoc regions of France. This was also the first commercial production of Piquepoul Blanc in South Africa. Higher rainfall helped the region recover from the challenging drought period. Favorable climatic conditions during the growing season, with early flowering and fruit set, resulted in an early harvest. The moderate ripening conditions and healthy canopies delivered excellent fruit with beautiful flavours.

The wine spent 11 months on the lees; thereafter, it was blended and bottled.