Cabernet Franc

Beef, Lamb, Game (deer, venison), Poultry

North-facing vineyard (1 ha) at Tanagra (McGregor), at almost 140m altitude, registered as Single Vineyard. Soil mixed with slightly rocky parts and clay structure. Planted in 2002, Rootstock: Richter 110; 4200 number of vines trellised in a North-South row direction on a 5 wire system.

Gentle pressing of skins and malolactic fermentation in 225 litre neutral French oak casks for 14 months. Done with minimal interference through vinification, sediment may occur.

Early morning hand selected harvest to optimize grape quality at 24 ballings. Hand-sorting of grapes before destemming. Whole berries are pumped into open top fermenter (without any green stems) and macerated there for about 4 days on the skins, allowing cooled grapes to extract colour and phenolic compounds prior to primary fermentation. Fermentation through natural (wild) yeast as soon as grapes reach room temperature. Punching down of fermenting must 3 times a day until fermentation is completed. Fermentation on the skins until about almost zero ballings.

TANAGRA is an idyllic wine farm close to McGregor and part of the Robertson Wine Route and Route 62. We offer comfortable accommodation in well appointed guest cottages, produce handcrafted wines and stylish Grappa and Eau de Vie. An old wild fig tree gave the farm its name, 'Tanagra' - it echoes the Khoisan expression for a well-shaded place. This giant tree canopies the historic homestead and winery, providing welcoming shade during the hot days of summer.