First Verse

Please note: Award stickers are applied at the producer's discretion and may not be present on all bottles.

Winemaking, I believe, should involve the combination of tradition, modern technology, science, art and passion. Attention to detail and focus are key ingredients. The grapes were fermented on the skins to extract the grape flavours, colour and tannins.

The grapes are sourced from some of the finest vineyards on the amphitheatre of mountains surrounding Stellenbosch - including the Helderberg, Stellenbosch Mountain, Simonsberg and the Polkadraai area. Meticulous site selection and attention to detail in the management of the vineyards is crucial to ensure that the very best quality grapes are brought into the cellar. Each vineyard site has been carefully selected to deliver grapes with a very specific aromatic profile, tannin structure and texture contributing to the harmonious complexity of the First Verse. A cold and wet winter always sets the tone for a potentially good vintage. Above average rainfall and snow-capped peaks get us excited for the next vintage! Moderate conditions were experienced during the growing season with some seasonal rainfall which resulted in vegetative growth which had to be managed. Heat peaks in January halted the growth and accelerated ripening. The 2022 vintage certainly ranks as one of the gems.

Thereafter the wine was matured in the finest French Oak barrels for 19 months, followed by blending and bottling.