Big Easy Box

The grapes were hand-picked in the early hours of the morning and brought to the cellar for processing. Whole bunches of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cinsault grapes were transferred straight into the membrane press. This whole bunch press action helped with preserving fruit and floral aromas while preventing the extraction of phenols or tannins from the skins. The pressed juiced was settled and racked before being inoculated for fermentation.

The grapes were hand-picked in the early hours of the morning and brough to the cellar for processing. Whole bunches of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cinsault grapes were transferred straight into the membrane press. This whole bunch press action helped with preserving fruit and floral aromas while preventing the extraction of phenols or tannins from the skins. The pressed juiced was settled and racked before being inoculated for fermentation.

After fermentation the wine was transferred to old barrels for a 2-month period and left on the fine lees. Before bottling the wine was racked from the barrels, stabilised and filtered to ensure a fresh and aromatic wine in bottle.

The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were hand-harvested in the cool of the early morning. On the sorting table, all excess stalks and inferior berries were removed. Primary fermentation took place in 7-ton open-top stainless-steel tanks. Intermittent pump-overs and punch downs were done to ensure that the right flavours, aromas and tannins could be extracted from the berries. After primary fermentation some batches underwent extended maceration, maturing separately in oak barrels.

The 2023 growing season was marked by a warmer winter and fewer cold units, but steady Atlantic winds and light spring showers helped regulate summer temperatures. This led to healthy canopy growth, even development, and balanced ripening across all varieties. Harvest began on 16 February with Merlot and concluded with our later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, which benefited from extended hang time. Despite late-season rain and predictions of a smaller crop, the Helderberg produced exceptional fruit with remarkable colour, structure and finesse. The Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards grow on the warm north-facing slopes of the Helderberg region within the Stellenbosch appellation. The soils contain a high gravel content which offers rich middle palate weight giving this wine exceptional depth and fruit purity. With an altitude of approximately 250 metres above sea level together with the cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean just 15 kilometres away, this extends the ripening period by up to 3 weeks resulting in lovely phenolic ripeness.

Aged for 14 months in 300-litre French and American oak barrels (10% new).

The grapes were hand harvested in the early hours of the morning, before sorting, destemming and crushing took place. The juice was settled overnight to allow the sediment to drop. The clear juice was then racked off the next day before fermentation in stainless steel tanks could take place. Post fermentation lees contact was maintained for three months, before racking and stabilisation prior to bottling. This wine was crafted in a fresh style without any oak component.

A later winter and wetter spring shaped the 2025 vintage in the Helderberg, with rain lingering into November. While this brought early disease pressure, it also ensured ample soil moisture, driving strong canopy growth and healthy fruit set. From mid-December, conditions shifted to dry and moderate – ideal for slow, even ripening. With no heatwaves and minimal rainfall, the season delivered balanced acidity, refined tannins, and excellent flavour concentration. Cabernet Sauvignon stands out for its purity, structure, and ageing potential. An elegant expression of a quietly exceptional vintage. The Chenin Blanc was hand-harvested from vineyards nestled in the heart of the Golden Triangle within the Helderberg region of Stellenbosch. The high-potential soils support vibrant canopies, allowing the fruit to ripen fully before the peak summer heat. Two vineyard blocks contribute to this wine: the first, a 13-year-old block at 131 metres above sea level, cultivated on a VSP system, imparts fresh and fruity characteristics. The second, a 40- year-old block situated at an elevation of 380 metres, benefits from cooler conditions, lending the wine mature, straw-like notes and a lasting complexity on the palate, enhancing its overall mouthfeel.