Grenache

Grenache’s versatility is a key factor in its popularity, appeasing all palates no matter the season. This wine excels in its ability to pair well with a wide variety of dishes, including roasted meats, fragrant stews, and Asian flavours, showcasing its exceptional complexity and impressive capacity to harmonise with these intricate and rich tastes.

In 2023, rainfall fell below the normal annual average. This drier vintage resulted in wines exhibiting more richness and concentration, attributed to the smaller berries and reduced crop size. Although the heat remained consistent with the previous year’s average, the harvest period was condensed due to irregular summer rainfall. The single vineyard is planted on the rockiest sandstone slopes at Waterford Estate. This location is the most arid and warm site on the farm, making it ideal for Grenache.

Aged 15 months in 45% porcelain jars and old 500L French oak barrels.

The grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed but not crushed, and approximately 4% of the bunches are left whole. These whole berries and bunches are then placed in fermentation vessels and allowed to ferment for approximately 18 days. After fermentation, the grapes are pressed, and the wine is transferred to old 500L French oak barrels and porcelain jars for malolactic fermentation and ageing.

Waterford Estate is situated in the Blaauwklippen Valley on the rolling slopes of the Helderberg Mountain in the well-known Stellenbosch region. Waterford Estate prides themselves in making Fine Wine from carefully selected grapes. Winemaker, Mark Le Roux and viticulturist, David van Schalkwyk both believe a Fine Wine displays the character of its cultivar and a true sense of place. A Fine Wine should reflect the length on the palate, has a complexity of flavours, internal harmony between aromatics and the palate, and balance between its essential components.