Werfdans Cinsault

Game Bird, Pasta and Ravioli.

The 2017 harvest was slightly larger than 2016, following a dry season. The growing season, post harvest, was very hot and dry and winter arrived late in most regions. Spring arrived on time. Cooler nights throughout the growing season and absence of significant heatwaves during harvest time buffered the effect of the drought. Higher rainfall brought some relief in certain regions although it still was very much below average. The dry conditions did contribute to very healthy vineyards and smaller berries with good colour and flavor concentration. Harvest season kicked of somewhat later due to cool night temperatures however ripening accelerated by mid-February and harvest ended earlier than usual.

Barrel aging commences for 12 – 15 months

Picked in small crates and left overnight in cold room to bring temperature down to roughly 10 degrees Celsius. The challenge is to interpret the current vintage conditions in order to balance whole bunch, destemming of grapes & adding stems (tannins). A combination of whole bunch, destemmed grapes and stems go into a stainless steel tank and left until natural fermentation starts. One to two soft pump overs per day and left for roughly 2 weeks, pressed and wine transferred into older 225L French oak barrels (minimum oxidation during the process).

Naudé Wines is the culmination of a journey that began more than 30 years ago. Since that first harvest I’ve worked all over the world hoping to craft wines that tell a story of time and place. I love the diversity we have in South Africa. Not just of the people but the soils the microclimates and the wine varietals that thrive under their own unique conditions. I’m fortunate to have been introduced to a few of these vineyards and work with some of the wonderful grapes that they produce many of these from certified old vines. The grapes on these vines are storied complex and unique. Each year they represent something different – whatever nature allows them – and with any luck I don’t get in the way.