Merlot

Baked pasta dishes like lasagne and cannelloni as well as pastas with tomato-based sauces. It will also complement grilled swordfish or tuna, as well as lamb burgers.

The wine matures for 12 – 18 months in second and third fill French oak barrels.

Grapes are hand picked during harvesting. Once the grapes are sorted, it is de-stemmed and crushed with mechanical presses which trod or stomp the grapes into ‘must’ (fresh grape juice). This process is followed by mash-cooling into fermenter with pumping over and takes approximately 10 days. After the fermentation process is draining and separation of free running wine and press wine, followed by malolactic fermentation (MLF) for approximately 2-4 weeks. After malolactic fermentation wine is racked with the addition of sulphur dioxide.

Ernst Gouws & Co is a family-owned winery nestled in the heart of Stellenbosch, South Africa’s premier wine region. Established by Ernst Gouws, whose winemaking lineage dates back to 1691, the estate crafts modern-style wines that showcase the unique terroir of the Western Cape. Each bottle reflects a commitment to quality, tradition, and family values, with grapes hand-harvested from select vineyards. The portfolio includes varietals like Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, and Merlot, all embodying the essence of Stellenbosch’s rich viticultural heritage.