The Affair Pinot Noir

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

Grapes from seven different vineyards were harvested by hand in the cool early morning temperatures and kept overnight in cold storage. After overnight cold storage they were sorted, destemmed and gently crushed into red ferment tanks. Cold maceration occurred for an average of 3 days after which the cooling was turned off and the juice was allowed to undergo spontaneous fermentation. The wine was then fermented under controlled temperatures until dry. The skins were then lightly pressed and the wine racked into a selection of French Oak barrels (20% new barrels) for 10 months ageing and maturation.

The Pinot Noir planted on our farm in the new ward of Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, 10km in proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The climate being “temperate” in style, where the southerly maritime winds blow through the appellations during the summer. These winds in turn bring regular sea mists and overcast conditions to the areas and with it more even temperatures. The average temperature is 19° C and rainfall, approximately, 750mm per year.

Final blending occurred one month prior to bottling and after bottling the wine was kept for a minimum of six months prior to release.