Pofadderbos Sauvignon Blanc

Asian-style pan-fried Corvina sea bass with Sauvignon Blanc-simmered leeks and Shiitake mushrooms.

The growing season started with a very dry spring and less wind than normal. Everything was going perfectly until we were hit with a full force, late cold front 28th October. A hail storm with stones the size of Shiraz berries driven by a gale-force South West wind hit us and we saw the leaves and shoots of our vines getting ripped off, within 10 minutes the damage was done. However, the resulting 4.3 ton per hectare harvested in February and March has made amazing wines. In the middle of January a Black South Easter tormented us for 10 consecutive days, accompanied by 115mm of rain and very high humidity. By the 4th of February harvest was in full swing and despite my worries and with the help of Tienie the grapes came into the cellar with no sour-rot and only a small percentage of botrytis. The average temperature for February was 21.3° Celsius this is 0.8°C warmer than the average for the last 16 years. The wines from the 2020 harvest are fresh and elegant with almost 1% less alcohol than the norm.

Innovative winemaking techniques, cold fermentation with selected yeast strains tanks and lees contact for four months.

Strandveld Vineyards lies between Elim and Cape Agulhas, just 9km from the sea, shaped by strong winds, cool temperatures, and a maritime climate. Its unique terroir of coastal conditions and diverse soils gives the wines their distinctive character. Inspired by early explorers, the vineyards were established in 2001 by pioneers drawn to this rugged, promising landscape.