Borealis Cuvee Brut

Our flagship Cap Classique evokes a sense of discovery in dining—in a pure and simple way; such as mussels steamed open with seawater; with its distinct line of salinity, the Borealis elevates the oceanic. Minerals and earth; salt-baked; creamy porcini risotto. Simmering comforts of braising chicken, texture and spice.

The 2019 growing season started to see relief from the drought that held its grip for the last five years on the Western Cape. After a dry post-harvest autumn and a late start to the 2018 winter (with many warm days in July) the skies finally opened and the Tulbagh region experienced good rainfalls and cold temperatures in August. This led to early budbreak at the start of September. As spring progressed the weather gradually got warmer with windy conditions during the initial growth, fertilisation and set of berries. The result was less bunches, with loose, smaller berries. Although the start of summer in November was initially hot, December and January were more moderate in temperature, which led to a good harvest with firm acidities.

Traditional grape varieties (chardonnay and pinot noir) are harvested in the cool of the night. Only the free-run juice is used for this Cap Classique: ± the first 500 litres per ton. Krone Borealis is bottlefermented and then matures on the lees in the underground cellar.

The 300-year-old Twee Jonge Gezellen Estate in Tulbagh is the historic home of Krone, a collection of Vintage-Only, terroir-driven Cap Classiques. Twee Jonge Gezellen is tucked into the northwest corner of the Tulbagh wine region, home to the fourth oldest town in South Africa, dating back to the early 1700s. Originally, it was one of 14 farms established after 1700 when the then governor of the Cape, Willem van der Stel, motivated for an expansion beyond Cape Town into the Winterberg, Witzenberg and Roodezand area. Twee Jonge Gezellen estate became wine-producing in the 20th century and, in a continuation of the founding pioneer spirit, invented cold fermentation in the 1950s, among other firsts. A devastating earthquake rocked the region in 1969, effectively delaying the introduction of Krone Cap Classique by 20 years. The first Krone Borealis vintage (1987) was released in 1991 to much acclaim; and a new generation of Cap Classique was born.