Semillon Reserve

A 25 year old patch of Franschhoek grown grapes within sight of Holden Manz produced a yield around 6 tonnes per hectare. Grapes were manually harvested early in the morning, refrigerated to 5C before undergoing whole bunch press. Following settling and racking 25% was naturally fermented in second fill barrels. The remainder was fermented at 14C in stainless steel tanks.

Winter 2021 saw cool temperatures and good strong rains allowing the vines a chance to rest. Growing season was dominated by moderate temperatures, moderate rainfall and winds and a slow ripening period. 2022 harvest was a little later than normal due to cooler weather throughout the season, which persisted through harvest time and expressed itself with grapes of higher acidity. The season produced strong vine growth, good bunch and berry sizes.

Wine was stirred on fine lees for 11 months prior to bottling on 26 January 2023.