Syrah

Enjoy with dishes such as roast beef, duck and venison

Winter of 2017 was one of the driest in the Western Cape in the last century, fortunately our winter rains were within average range. We received very late cold fronts with icy rain in mid-September. This storm did extreme damage to our young shoots, so while we received water for irrigation the price paid was the loss of half of our potential crop almost overnight. In late November we had a further blow with a hail storm which caused more vineyard damage and the final harvest crop was on a very a very low 3,7 ton/ha. The conditions during the rest of the growing season were moderate with cool, dry weather and the small crop was handled with care to make the most of it. The result was a small, concentrated vintage, comparable to 2015.

The wine was barrel matured for 18 months in 30% new French oak barrels with only selected barrels chosen for the final blend.

After destalking and minimal crushing of the berries, they were left to cold soak for 48 hours. Fermentation with selected Rhône yeast strains was temperature controlled at 22-26°C. Pump overs were effected twice daily.

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.