Ring Fence

Roast chicken, pork, roasted or grilled, beef, duck, sausage, lamb, veal, hearty fish dishes

The fruit from this wine exclusively comes from a carefully chosen site where the aspect is West with a slope of approximately 10%, thus facing the West Coast and Atlantic Ocean of South Africa. The summer temperature hovers around 29°C from December to March with a 10°C difference between day and night, and receives good rainfall of approximately 800mm per year. The soil is of granitic origin, deep and gravelly for the roots to explore the nutrients. It has good drainage, yet excellent water holding capacity that restricts the need for further irrigation in summer, but provides marginal stress. We maintain the optimal canopy height with excellent microclimate, avoiding over-exposure of the grapes at all costs while ensuring sufficient foliage to support fruit ripening. These conditions create concentration, structure and a fine astringency from phenolics, minerality and earthiness due to the fact that the roots penetrate the gravelly structure of the soil, good colour development (anthocyanin profile), because of the day-night difference driven by sea breezes, as well as ample fruitiness from diffused sunlight in the canopy. We harvest slightly earlier at around 23°Brix to maintain freshness and tannin structure in the wine. The grapes receive natural airflow for good health and cooling, while we restrict direct radiation to the absolute minimum to maintain acidity, a low pH, slow development of sugar and perfect balance of secondary flavour and taste composition during ripening.

Mischa Estate is a 3rd generation family-run farm that was bought just after the Second World War by the winemaker, Andrew Barns’, grandfather. He chose the farm because of its view of Table Mountain. The farm was named after his grandmother’s dance partner, Mikael, in the Russian ballet company, Ballet Russe. Mischa (Nickname for Mikael in Russian) soon became the 3rd largest vine nursery in the southern hemisphere. After three generations of wine grape production and grafting young vines, Andrew and his family decided to use their extensive viticultural knowledge to start producing Mischa wines. They created a boutique winery with limited production of only the highest quality, hand-made wines. Now, 17 years later, they are recognized as one of the top quality boutique wine farms in South Africa. Their wines have consistently received numerous gold or double-gold awards, top marks from both Robert Parker and John Platter and a Trophy for the Best Bordeaux Blend in South Africa from Michelangelo. Mischa now crafts wines across four ranges so there is a style and wine for everyone to enjoy!