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De Wetshof is ending this year with a new look. Our range of Chardonnays are now resplendent in new packaging aimed at giving each of the site-specific wines an own identity, as well as to present De Wetshof's Cape Vintner Classification (CVC) membership and accreditation.
The new-look is found on De Wetshof's Bateleur, The Site, Finesse, Limestone Hill and Bon Vallon wines, all established Chardonnays expressing an own personality in terms of vineyard site and winemaking.
Chardonnay is the golden thread in our range, but each wine has its own voice due to its geographical origin, plant selection and winemaking style, creating wines each with a specific expression of site.
Together with the recent CVC accreditation accorded to De Wetshof's Chardonnay wines, the new labels allow the Estate to place a stronger emphasis on each wine's individuality and unique character and communicate this to the consumer.
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Featuring the De Wet family crest as the common feature, each label varies in terms of font and visual effect.
We have gone back to tradition by bringing in the family crest on each bottle as well as the use of strong elements of European wine culture. At the end of the day it really is about what is inside the bottle, but with each of the five Chardonnays adorning a new cloak De Wetshof is underscoring its commitment to diversity within our Estate.
For the first time all five wines will also be donning the official CVC seal, a mark aimed at elevating the status and creating an awareness of South Africa's premium wine sector.
The Bateleur 2013 carries the CVC’s highest level of terrain-specific accreditation, namely Superior. The Site 2014, Finesse 2014/15, Limestone Hill 2015 and Bon Vallon 2015 carry the status of Vineyard Wines owned or managed by the proprietor. For more information on the CVC, see www.cvc1659.co.za. | |
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Hosting Chardonnay Forum
Johann de Wet, chairperson of the South African Chardonnay Forum, hosted the Forum's Information Day on De Wetshof in November. Some 60 of the country's leading Chardonnay producers joined us on the Estate to listen to an array of interesting and relevant speakers, as well as to partake of some food and wine – the social side of these gatherings is always important! | |
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The speakers included the Vinpro team of Francois Viljoen (viticulture), Nico Spreeth (clones) and Heinrich Schloms (soils, sites and aspect), MW Richard Kershaw on the evolution of Chardonnay winemaking, Francois Rautenbach from Singita (international perspectives on South African Chardonnay) and Carolyn Martin from Creation Wines on marketing trends.
After the interesting presentations, maestro Jan Boland Coetzee presented a tasting of wines from each of South Africa's major Chardonnay-producing regions, allowing attendees to join in discussing the importance of regionality.
The day ended with a Portuguese-themed spread including roasted suckling pig, grilled sardines and pasteis de nata.
"The Chardonnay Forum is now established as a constructive and proactive think-tank of like-minded producers committed to promoting the qualities of South African Chardonnay," says Johann. "It was a great way to end off the year, and our board will be rolling out a number of initiatives next year." | |
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South African Chardonnay in Decanter | |
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John Stimpfig, content editor for the influential Decanter wine magazine, was in South Africa recently and the grape that impressed him above all others was Chardonnay.
"It seems to me that South African Chardonnay might just be on the cusp of greatness as a new generation of winemakers and growers take it to a whole new level," John writes.
What excited him most, he continues "was the awareness of soil, site and aspect in the vineyard. Arguably Chardonnay's greatest South African exponent and locomotive is Danie de Wet who believes that this is the grape that paved the way for terroir and regionality in South Africa." (Read the full article by clicking here.)
De Wetshof is delighted with this article's recognition of South African Chardonnay, which must go down as one of the local industry's highlights for 2015.
Further fine scores De Wetshof received for its wines recently were from the Parker Wine Guide. Taster Neal Martin gave the Bateleur 2013 92 points and the Limestone Hill 2015 a score of 91. | |
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Our wood expert: Monsieur Radoux | |
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Christian Radoux is not only known throughout the wine world as a leading expert on wood barrels for wine maturation, but has since 1986 been a firm friend of the De Wet family. Besides a mutual love for the African wilderness, conservation and hunting, Christian and the De Wets share a passion for winemaking, and his skill with French oak sees Monsieur Radoux each year personally selecting the wooden staves from which the barrels are made in which De Wetshof’s wine mature.
Danie says that Christian understands De Wetshof's style of wines and is therefore able to ensure that the correct wood with the right amount of toasting is used in our winery, allowing each wine to express its site and individual flavour profile.
"Christian is not only a good friend for 30 years, but through the wood he personally selects for our barrels, an important partner in our wine business," says Danie. | |
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Leopard Leaves its Mark in De Wetshof Vineyards
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For the past month we have been having an unexpected visitor in our vineyards, namely a leopard. As these pictures of its paw-prints show, the leopard has been prowling around our vines under cover of the night. We have not yet managed to spot the animal, but Danie believes it to be an old male who has left the mountains in search of some food.
To date, none of our pets or livestock have gone missing... but knowing that a magnificent creature such as this is at home on our property vindicates De Wetshof's commitment to farming sustainability where the flora and fauna are left unhindered – as recognised by our recent Biodiversity and Wine Initiative Champion status. | |
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Year end
Summer is really the most beautiful time to see the Robertson Valley vineyards.
The berries are forming nicely and although one never predicts a harvest at this stage, the vines’ health and the temperate days due to the brisk southerly breezes are making the vineyard and winemaking teams excited about next year’s harvest, which should commence with the Cap Classique grapes in mid-January.
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This is a wonderful time to visit the Estate, so please stop by for a wine tasting, a chat and to experience some Robertson hospitality. We wish you all the best over the festive season, and may the new year be a blessed one.
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