Riebeeksrivier Syrah

Beef, Lamb, Game (deer, venison), Spicy food, Mature and hard cheese

The grapes for this wine were grown on our Riebeeksrivier farm in the Swartland, situated on the Malmesbury side of the Riebeek Kasteel Mountains. This part of the Swartland yields some of the highest quality grapes in the region. The southern and western slopes of the property have a variety of soil types, including schist, quartz, and Table Mountain sandstone. The combination of different aspects and soil types yields concentrated yet refined wines with a richer fruit profile. The 2021 vintage on Riebeeksrivier began later than usual, driven by cooler weather conditions throughout the growing season. Ample winter rainfall replenished water reserves, supporting healthy vine growth, well-formed bunches, and good berry size. The extended ripening period allowed us to harvest at optimal ripeness, achieving excellent colour, flavour concentration, and naturally higher acidity. These conditions favoured balance and freshness in the wines, with many showing refined structure and ageing potential. Wine drinkers can look forward to expressive, well-defined wines from this standout vintage.

After fermentation, the wine was transferred to a barrel for malolactic fermentation, then matured for 10 to 12 months in 225 litre French oak wood barriques.

Grapes are handpicked into small lug boxes and transported to the cellar in refrigerated trucks to preserve their quality and freshness. To guarantee that only the highest quality grapes were used in the winemaking process, every component was sorted using an optic sorting machine. Stainless steel and Italian concrete tanks were used for the primary fermentation. Gentle winemaking processes were used with minimal intervention to preserve the essence of the Riebeeksrivier terroir.

This is a range created in recognition of the Cape of Good Hope’s vinous heritage which stretches back more than 350 years when the first Governor of the Cape planted grapes. These unique wines are the result of irreplaceable parcels of old vines and site specific terroirs. The labels reflect the grape variety as well as the origin and singular characters behind them.