Hidden Secret

Ideally paired with game such as springbok loin, wild mushroom dishes, quail or other wild fowl.

The different lots of this wine were picked at optimum ripeness between 25 and 26°B. The grapes were bunch-sorted and then crushed to stainless steel fermenters. A small portion was wholebunch fermented to lift the fruit profile and give complexity. After about 2 weeks of skin contact the wine was pressed and only after malolactic fermentation the individual components were racked to 225L french oak barrels and left to mature for 16-18 months. Only 35% new oak was used. Finally, the wine was blended, no finings were necessary, and filtration was only done at bottling.

Our vineyards, situated on the northern slopes of the Helderberg Mountains in Stellenbosch, are planted on ancient, decomposed granite soils, consisting of deep fertile Oakleaf and Tukulu profiles. This wonderful soil (and the fact that we are 269m above sea level) together with the cool sea breeze result in a very unique and extremely sought after terroir. Our vineyards were planted in 2002 with the most recent being planted in 2016. This means that the latest planting material and most up to date planting methods were used. The vineyards were planted with great care and all trellised on a double Perold system. Hidden Valley Wines has also planted 3000 olive trees, a decision which was driven by intuition and passion for the tree and the versatility of its fruits. The fertile soils on the farm made a perfect home for these trees and they grew vigorously. A fusion of table and oil varieties now makes up the beautiful silver textured environment around the impressive stonewalls of the wine cellar.