The Affair Pinot Noir

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 into red ferment tanks. 20% of the fruit was eft as whole bunch.. Cold maceration occurred for an average of 3 days after which the cooling was turned off and the juice was allowed to ferment spontaneously. The wine was then fermented under controlled temperatures until dry.

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.

The skins were then lightly pressed, and then racked into a selection of French Oak barrels for 11 months ageing and maturation. Final blending occurred one month prior to bottling and after bottling.