Reserve Pinot Noir

Ideal with duck and other game birds, casseroles or, of course, stews like beef bourguignon.

These grapes come from two adjacent vineyards of Burgundian clones 115 and 777 in the Hemel en Aarde Valley. Leading up to harvest, the Valley had a warmer winter and a sunny and very dry spring which helped bring excellent ripeness and acidity to the wine. 2019 seemed to bring the exact conditions that have made the region famous for its Pinot Noir, ie: warm days and cool nights, all moderated by the maritime influence of the ocean. Great colour and phenolic development was a standout feature of the vintage.

The wine was then matured in older (3rd to 5th fill) Burgundian barrels for 8 months. We used minimal sulphur and this wine has not been fined or filtered.

60% of the 115 clone and 40% of the 777 clones were hand sorted and destemmed. Whole berry fermentation occurred in stainless steel tanks by employing a gondola system that has been developed to ensure the gentlest treatment of the berries. After fermentation, the berries were basket pressed for pure and subtle tannins.

The Land of Hope Trust project started in 2007. Initiated against the background of many “smoke and mirrors” projects purporting to uplift Previously Disadvantaged Individuals (PDI), although very few of which seem to genuinely do so. The direct and sole beneficiaries of this Trust are the previously disadvantaged individual employees of Radford Dale and their children and dependents. ​ What makes this project unique? Well, the primary objective of the trust is educational. The long-term social upliftment through the gift of high quality education, skills development and the power of developing knowledge. The Trust is making it possible to send our children to schools we could only dream about when we were young, which we were not allowed to attend, and which will give our next generation the intellectual ability and the expertise to ensure the positive evolution of our economy our democracy and our community.