Skaamgesiggie

Enjoy with all things from the ocean, light poultry dishes or on its own.

The summer of 2019 was the driest in 50 years. So much so that we saw most of our wetland vlei areas in the Agulhas Plain dry up completely. It was like living in a strange new world walking over dry, cracked mud in a vlei that is normally the home of the local Hippo pod. The winter started later at the end of May and it was only towards the end of September that we saw the wetlands full of water again. The normal cool, dry, windy spring conditions that we are so famous for resulted in a small but healthy crop. The rest of the growing season was moderate with a cool, dry January and February. The onlygnificant rain during harvest was towards the middle of March, 55mm, and by then most of our grapes were safely in the cellar.

Bottling (tirage) for second fermentation on 6 June 2019. Disgorged 14 June 2021.

Specially selected Pinot Noir grapes were harvested in 18.5°B. The grapes were cooled to 2°C and then loaded whole bunch into the press for 2hours skin contact. Only the first 550L of juice per ton obtained from gentle pressing was used. The clear juice was cold fermented with selected yeast strains. After fermentation the base wine was matured in 500L French oak barrels for 4 months. The base wine was then reinnoculated with yeast and a small amount of sugar (liquer de tirage) and bottled under crown cap for a second fermentation (prise de mousse)

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.