Trade Winds Summer Sipping Special

Trade Winds Rose is made with grapes from selected vineyards to produce a quality Rose profile - Cabernet Sauvignon from low-yielding vines in Stellenbosch, South Africa’s outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon region and Chenin Blanc from long established Stellenbosch vineyards. The 2023 season began with mild, dry conditions which had a crucial impact on grape quantity and quality. Midseason cultivars such as Chenin Blanc, delivered average to above-average yields, possibly due to the positive impact of the December rains on berry mass. Late cultivars, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, had to wait until after the rains to go to the cellar, presenting producers with various challenges and a reduced yield. Despite these challenges, vineyards that were well managed handled the unfavourable conditions well and produced high-quality grapes.

The grapes were handpicked and stored in a cold room before crushing and de-stemming. The free run juice was allowed to settle before fermentation in stainless steel tanks followed by one month lees contact.

The Trade Winds Sauvignon Blanc 2021 is a harmonious blend of grapes from low-yielding old sauvignon blanc vines planted on cool elevated mountain slopes in Stellenbosch (for richer tropical notes and softer acidity), and cool-climate Elgin grapes (for greener herbaceous characters and minerality). Unusually cooler weather conditions throughout the harvest season resulted in grapes with a higher natural acidity to ripen slower allowing them to develop flavours and colour.