News

De Grendel wine estate’s long-standing commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable farming has been recognised with Conservation Champion status by the WWF, the world’s leading independent conservation organisation.

For the historic Durbanville farm, becoming a WWF Conservation Champion recognises the respect for nature and the environment developed over four generations of the Graaff family’s stewardship of De Grendel.

De Grendel joins more than 50 of South Africa’s leading wine farms that have voluntarily committed to farm regeneratively, enhance biodiversity, and maintain a healthy ecosystem that provides valuable ecosystem services that extend beyond individual farms.

The news is in: Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen’s restaurant at La Motte in Franschhoek will be back.

JAN Franschhoek first opened for a summer run with a firm start-finish date. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the venue was fully booked just days into the season and no doubt motivated the decision to make a return in September.

It was at the tail end of the first run that I had the chance to dine there. Most people will know that the South African chef rose to major acclaim when he claimed his first star from Europe’s Michelin Restaurant Guide. Now, a string of openings have taken place. They include Klein JAN at Tswalu Kalahari and the JAN Innovation Studio on Kloof Street, Cape Town.

As the autumn leaves begin to fall and the cellar quietens down, we sat with our winemaker Matthew Day and farm manager Craig Harris to reflect on the harvest season for 2023.

2023 marks the longest harvest we have had here at Klein Constantia – starting on the 18th of January and finishing on the 18th of April. It was also one of the earliest with grapes coming in almost 2 weeks prior to normal. The season was divided into 2, before and post the rain. Fortunately, the majority of the fruit ripens quickly and we could harvest most of the white cultivars before the rain came. With high acid levels, with lower pHs and alcohol than normal – the quality of the grapes was fantastic, allowing us to be more liberal with our approach to winemaking and move more away from traditional winemaking methods.

ABOUT THE WINEMAG.CO.ZA TASTING PROGRAMME 2023

Winemag.co.za is set to produce a series of category reports over the course of the year with multinational financial services company Prescient as sponsor. Each report will be based on the outcome of a blind tasting of wines entered within a specific category.

A report includes key findings, tasting notes for the top wines, buyer's guide and scores on the 100-point quality score for all wines entered. Upon release, producers can purchase both Top 10 and regular rating stickers - consumers are encouraged to look out for these in the retail environment.

Chardonnay, you’re golden!

Even though there’s a nip in the air, and most people are reaching for voluptuous reds, there’s something wonderfully cockle-warming about enjoying a glass or two of chardonnay beside a fire on a blustery winter’s evening. And with International Chardonnay Day on 25 May, we’ve taken the opportunity to shout about this proudly South African varietal.

Wine lovers from all over the world can look forward to excellent wines from a much cooler and smaller 2023 wine grape season in South Africa. Thís according to the annual South African Wine Harvest Report 2023.

The 2023 wine grape harvest is estimated at 1 180 093 tonnes, according to the latest harvest estimate by industry body SAWIS (South African Wine Industry Information and Systems) on 12 May 2023. This is 14.2% smaller than the 2022 harvest.

“Compared to other seasons, the 2023 harvest is very similar to previous cooler seasons, such as 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2021,” says Conrad Schutte, consultation services manager of the wine industry body Vinpro. “It particularly resembles the combination of cold and wet conditions of 2014 and 2019. In terms of volume, 2023 may be one of the smallest harvests in more than a decade.”

Anthonij Rupert Wyne is excited to announce the highly anticipated return of the Shiraz & Charcuterie Festival after a 3-year hiatus.

Scheduled for Saturday, 27 May (11h00 to 16h00), the event promises to be a social calendar highlight, bringing together some of the country’s finest Shiraz wines paired with Charcuterie from Artisanal Producers.

Visitors will have the opportunity to savour and enjoy Anthonij Rupert Wyne's range of distinguished Shiraz wines, including the Anthonij Rupert Syrah, the site-specific Cape of Good Hope Riebeeksrivier Syrah, and Protea Shiraz.

Alongside Anthonij Rupert Wyne, some of the country's most notable Shiraz-producing Estates, including Hartenberg Estate, Waterford Estate, Keermont Vineyards, La Motte, and Kleinood, among others, will be showcasing their finest Shiraz wines.

May is more than Mother’s Day. At La Motte, May is filled with moments, inviting you to enjoy all that is moreish about its slow introduction to winter.

The charm of autumn leaves and the warmth of sunny afternoons beg us outdoors. Hearty flavours and winter wines lure us inside. At La Motte Wine Estate, we promise you a marvelous May – whether you bring your mom, family and friends or join us all on your own.

Make the most of May and pay 10% less when you buy any 6 bottles from our Pierneef Collection – 2022 Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc and 2018 Pierneef Syrah Viognier. Available from the La Motte tasting room or online.

Wholesomeness is an underrated concept when it comes to bread.

Celebrated Stellenbosch wine estate Simonsig has unveiled the latest vintage of its award-winning barrel-fermented Chenin Blanc.

The 2022 vintage of this wine has ushered in a new era for Chenin Blanc at Simonsig as their first wine to gain official Old Vine status.

Formerly known as Simonsig Chenin Avec Chêne, this single vineyard Chenin Blanc has been renamed Langbult Steen and given a refreshed look to commemorate this historic milestone in the wine’s evolution. Staying true to terroir, it takes its name from the vineyard site tended to by three generations of the Malan family.

“Langbult translates to ‘long hill’ and literally describes the vineyard’s layout,” says Michael Malan, Simonsig cellarmaster and third-generation winemaker. “The vines grow there in ancient, weathered shale soils and are robust and resilient. Time has made it one with the elements, and all of this is gloriously expressed through the fruit.”