Sneeuwkrans Pinot Noir

Pinot noir is one of the few varietals that pairs well with either a delicate, poached salmon or a rich, braised duck

The 2019 vintage was later and cooler than usual. The previous vintages were very dry with 2019 by contrast having ample rain and cold weather. Strong winds were experienced in flowering season resulting in a smaller crop with looser bunches and smaller berries, and thus more flavor and color concentration in the resultant wine. The slower ripening resulted in good phenolic ripeness with well-balanced acidity levels. This vineyard was picked in 2 stages, the bottom part of the vineyard separately from the top part, there being a slight difference in ripening as well as different clones, each contributing to a range of flavours and variation in structure. Grapes were hand-picked into small lug-boxes in the early morning and transported to the cellar in refrigerated trucks.

After fermentation the wine was aged in old 225L French oak barrels for 10 months and finally bottle aged for 2 years.

All the fruit was de-stemmed and then fermented in old wooden 3 ton tanks and small 1 ton open top Stainless steel tanks. These grapes were worked very gently during fermentation.

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.