Schist Syrah

Grapes were first chilled in our cold room then the whole bunches were put into open-top 500L French oak barrels and foot stomped to release some juice. Minimal SO2 was added and, as with all our wines, no further additions were made. After about 4 days, fermentation began with indigenous yeasts and lasted about 10 days. A further four weeks of skin contact was given after which the wine was drained and pressed to barrel for malolactic fermentation and maturation.

Grapes for our 2015 SCHIST Syrah were from a single parcel of sustainably farmed 19 years old vines planted in the stony Shale and Schist soils of our farm, Roundstone, on the Kasteelberg. This parcel of Syrah gives the best expression of the Kasteelberg’s terroir – density and structure. Grapes were harvested between the 8th and 16th February 2015 with a yield of 6 tons/ha (33HL/ha).

12 months, French oak 500L barrels, 25% new followed by 12 months in 2nd fill foudre.