DMZ Syrah

De Morgenzon’s DMZ Syrah generally pairs wonderfully with grilled or roasted meats (such as lamb, beef, or game), hearty stews, and mature or intensely flavoured cheeses – complemented by the wine’s rich fruit and spicy complexity.

These vineyards are situated on the farm DeMorgenzon in the Stellenbosch Kloof. Soils are mostly weathered granite which gives the resultant wines a natural exuberance and youthful vigour. Planted in 2004 the trellised vineyard is managed to ensure natural high acidity and full flavour concentration. The yield was 8 tons per hectare. A cold, wet winter preceding the 2024 growing season resulted in delayed budburst and a similar delayed harvest. A prolonged cool vintage allowed for the development of an intense Rotundon flavour profile in our grapes, more commonly experienced as white pepper and spice.

Maturation takes place in concrete tanks and 500L French Oak barrels with a 10% new oak integration.

The grapes are hand-picked and undergo natural fermentation in concrete and stainless-steel tanks. The grapes are fermented via whole bunch and whole berry methods. They received minimal extraction, with only pump overs and delestage taking place.

A hidden garden vineyard deep in the Stellenbosch Kloof, with sweeping views across False Bay to Cape Town, lies DeMorgenzon - a name derived from Dutch origin for “the morning sun.” From its hilltop manor, this prestigious and graceful family estate is home to Wendy and Hylton Appelbaum. Classical music drifts through the garden vineyards. The earth has music for those who listen. Viticulturally, DeMorgenzon has predominantly south-facing slopes create a cooler microclimate in an otherwise warm region. This allows for the production of finely poised, ethereal Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay, as well as sophisticated, highly aromatic Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. In keeping with their vinous philosophy, the estate is farmed regeneratively, fostering biodiversity and soil vitality to create a balanced, living ecosystem in the vineyards.