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VINEYARDS Bowwood Pinotage is made from a small, single vineyard, planted in clay-rich gravel soils in 1998. The vineyard is shy bearing with poor vigour, which ensures tiny berries with hugely concentrated flavour. A North-South row orientation exposes the grapes to plenty of gentle morning and late afternoon sunshine, perfect for intense colour and aromatic development. VINIFICATION The grapes are hand-picked in early February with a ripeness of 25 Balling. Each bunch is pre-chilled before being destemmed and berry sorted. The berries are not crushed but are fermented whole. This allows for a gradual extraction of tannins and colour, which promotes finesse, balance and longevity. The berries are fermented in open-top fermenters, which provide easy access for the winemaker to assess and manipulate the fermentation. The wine is punched down regularly for 8 days and then basket pressed directly to new and second fill, 300L American oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation takes place in the barrel, which promotes harmony and seamless integration of the oak flavours. The wine is further matured on the yeast and malolactic lees for 18 months. At this point, the finest 12 barrels are selected, blended and returned to barrel for an additional 6 months. Finally, the wine is kept for 4 months in a stainless-steel tank to promote stability and clarification, before it is bottled and laid to rest for a full year before it is released. TASTING NOTES & CELLARING & FOOD PAIRING Opaque in colour with dark hues of purple and red, it delivers an intense black cherry and plum bouquet interlaced with sweet cloves and vanillarich oak. Bold fruit and pungent spice aromatics persist on the palate with undertones of roasted almonds and cigar smoke. The palate is broad and rich with soft acidity and abundant, fine tannin. A luxurious, full-flavored, and modern wine. ACCOLADES 2018 Vintage: 2021 Michelangelo – Double Gold 2021 Veritas – Gold 2022 Platter’s Guide – 4.5 Stars (94pts) 2022 Gilbert & Gaillard -Double Gold (92pts) 2019 Vintage: 2022 ABSA TOP 10 Winner 2022 Veritas- Double Gold Analysis pH 3.58 Total Acidity 5.7 g/l Residual Sugar 2.0 g/l Alcohol 14.21 % DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE -
A Hidden Gem from Babiana Our 2023 Grenache Blanc is a true "stolen" treasure, a secret ingredient we typically reserve for our signature Babiana blend. This year, we had just a little extra Grenache Blanc than usual, and we couldn’t resist sharing this unique expression with our loyal members. A wine that’s normally kept under wraps, it’s now available as a limited release to those who appreciate the rare and special moments in winemaking. Winemaking Story The grapes were whole-bunch pressed and fermented in egg- shaped concrete tanks using wild yeast, allowing the wine to develop naturally and express the true character of its vineyard. A partial malolactic fermentation softens any harsh acidity, while extended maturation on the lees contributes to a rich, creamy texture and enhanced body. The result is a wine with depth, length, and complexity, all while maintaining a vibrant freshness. TASTING NOTES This Grenache Blanc opens with bright, enticing aromas of fresh peach, citrus blossoms, and a touch of white floral notes. On the palate, the wine is rich and textured, with layers of stone fruit and subtle citrus that give it a lively character. The mouthfeel is creamy and smooth, supported by a refreshing, clean finish. The combination of bright fruit and smooth texture makes this wine both elegant and easy to enjoy, with a lingering minerality that adds a touch of intrigue. 2023 Analysis pH 3.44 Total Acidity 6.1 g/l Residual Sugar 3.3 g/l Alcohol 14.29 % -
(Limited to 15 cases only)
(Shiraz 50%, Mourvédre 30%, Carignan 7% & Grenache Noir 13%) Vondeling Monsonia is named after Monsonia Speciosa, a very rare species of fynbos (vegetation type occurring in the Western Cape region of South Africa) found in the Paardeberg mountain, the home of Vondeling wines. THE NAME MONSONIA The flower was named after Lady Anne Monson, the great-grandchild of King Charles II. Controversially, her first marriage was dissolved, due to the birth of an illegitimate child but she soon remarried Colonel George Monson of the Indian Military. She was known as a “remarkable lady botanist” and was instrumental in translating Linnaeus’s famous “Philosophia Botanica”. On her way to Calcutta, she visited the Cape of Good Hope and accompanied seasoned collector of South African plants, Carl Peter Thunberg, on several expeditions around the Cape. In 1774, he named the Monsonia species of plants after her. VINEYARDS The Shiraz vines grow in ancient, well-weathered granite soils on southeast-facing slopes – ideal for our warm South African climate. In total, six clones of Shiraz can be found on the farm and only the best performing clones go into the final blend. Typically, each clone contributes different characteristics to the wine and the different blocks are picked at varying degrees of ripeness, best suited to their character. The Mourvedre, Carignan, and Grenache are best adapted to hot sun and are grown as bush vines on North East-facing slopes. Highly selective hand-picking guarantees that only the best fruit arrives at the winery. VINIFICATION After being chilled overnight, bunches are partially destemmed, but not crushed, and whole berry fermentation takes place in open-top fermentation tanks. An initial two-day period of cold soaking is applied before wild yeast fermentation is allowed to commence. During fermentation, hand plunging, commonly known as "punch downs" is the method of mixing and extraction. After fermentation, the wine is pressed in a traditional boutique-size basket press. All wine is then transferred directly to barrel where malolactic fermentation takes place. Only large format French oak barrels are used, with about one-third new and the rest 2nd and 3rd fill. The wine is allowed to mature for 16 months before a final barrel selection, blending and bottling takes place. TASTING NOTES & CELLARING & FOOD PAIRING Vibrant and clear charcoal red with beautifully viscous legs clinging to the glass. Each grape component vies for attention in this kaleidoscopic bouquet. Sweet Lillies and rose-petal Turkish delight from the Grenache. Plush black currant and blueberries from the Carignan. All wrapped in a velvety blanket of red berries and soft spice from the Shiraz. A smooth, velvety palate devoid of harsh or grippy tannin. Red cherry candy and sweet plumb at the fore with a soft plush center and subtle spice with roasted coconut at the end. Well paired with a mature steak, barbequed over a hotbed of coals and served with sauteed baby mushrooms, or try a hearty, slow-cooked pork belly with root vegetables and tomatoes. ACCOLADES 2017 Vintage: 2020 Michelangelo Awards - Gold 2021 Platter Guide 4,5 Stars (94 Pts) Analysis pH 3.44 Total Acidity 5.7 g/l Residual Sugar 2.9 g/l Alcohol 14.16 % DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE -
Club Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2023 A Final Tribute to a Legendary Vine The 2023 vintage of our Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc is the final release from the Herb Block, a plot that has produced exceptional fruit since its planting in 1983. As we bid farewell to these legendary vines, we crafted a wine that truly honors their legacy—one that’s as unique and complex as the vines themselves.This limited release is a final homage to a block of old vines that has given us so much over the years. It’s a wine for collectors, for those who appreciate rarity and the artistry of exceptional viticulture. VINIFICATION To bring out the best of this remarkable fruit, the grapes were whole-bunch pressed into egg-shaped concrete tanks, where wild yeast fermentation began naturally. This unique approach allows the wine to capture a sense of place, while minimizing the influence of overbearing fruitiness. A partial malolactic fermentation softens the acidity, while extended maturation on the lees imparts layers of creaminess and body, resulting in a wine with impressive length and texture. TASTING NOTES This wine opens with fresh aromas of ripe kiwi fruit and delicate apple blossoms, creating a fragrant and inviting nose. On the palate, the wine reveals a rich, textural mouthfeel—thanks to the extended lees contact—balanced by gentle tropical fruit notes. The fruit is restrained yet vibrant, offering a harmonious blend of bright citrus and subtle tropical nuances. A lovely creaminess coats the palate, adding depth and elegance, while the finish is long, smooth, and refreshingly clean. Analysis pH 3.47 Total Acidity 6.2 g/l Residual Sugar 3.6 g/l Alcohol 14.32 % DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTES: 2023 -
(Limited to 15 cases only)
(80% Chardonnay & 20% Pinotage) VINEYARDS Vondeling Rurale is comprised of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinotage. The Chardonnay grapes originate from a single block, located on a south-west facing slope on the decomposed granite soils of the Paardeberg Mountain. The Pinotage grapes are grown on our lower valley slopes in soils comprised of gravel and clay. Typically, the Pinotage grapes add weight and texture. Unlike Mèthode Cap Classique, Mèthode Ancestrale grapes are harvested with a potential alcohol of 12% (rather than 9%). This promotes a fuller, more rounded pallet with superior fruit expression without compromising on natural vibrancy and freshness. VINIFICATION Natural fermentation begins in a stainless-steel tank and when only a small, but critical amount of sugar remains, the fermenting wine is bottled and capped. Bottling must be done at the precise moment when there is enough remaining sugar to create a healthy, vibrant mousse, but not so much as to cause the bottles to explode. This single, continuous fermentation, using fruit which is approximately three weeks riper than the base wine used to make Mèthode Cap Classique, is what makes Mèthode Ancestrale unique. The wine is matured on its lees for 3 years before riddling and disgorging. Autolysis of the yeast cells increases richness, palate weight and creaminess to the wine. After being hand riddled over a one-month period, it is disgorged and topped using our flagship white blend, Babiana from the 2013 vintage, as an alternative to liqueur d’expedition. The name Rurale is the original name for what was later recognized by the French A.O.C as Mèthode Ancestrale. We love the implication that this is an uncomplicated, yet pure expression of both the grape and its origins. Rurale was the first recognized Mèthode Ancestrale to be produced in South Africa and remains the leaded in this category. Vondeling was instrumental in drafting the technical description, which allowed this new category to be recognized in 2014. It is a highly labour-intensive way to produce sparkling wine, and for this reason, only 3300 bottles were produced. All grapes are grown and vinified on Vondeling Farm and Cellar TASTING NOTES & CELLARING & FOOD PAIRING The wine displays a pale straw colour typical of bubbly that has enjoyed the benefits of extended lees maturation. Tiny, pearl-string bubbles and fine mousse abound. Beautiful aromas of lavender honey, lime, crisp apple with freshly baked pastry and toasted almonds on the nose. The palate is bright and zippy with vibrant acidity and a soft, creamy mouthfeel. Fresh apple appears again along with pears, confected lemon and a long, rich, lingering after taste. Rurale can be paired with smoked salmon, fennel roasted trout or fresh oysters with a squeeze of lemon, salt, and pepper. ACCOLADES 2018 Vintage: 2021 SA Sparkling Wine Championships – Double Gold 2021 Michelangelo- Gold 2022 Platter Wine Guide 2020 – 4,5 stars (93pts) ANALYSIS pH 3.37 Total Acidity 8.0 g/l Residual Sugar 4.7 g/l Alcohol 11.94 % DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE -
Barrel Selection Gift Pack (2 pack option)
R540.00 (incl. VAT)
Option 1: Barrel Selection Chardonnay 2023 & Barrel Selection Merlot 2022 OR Option 2: Barrel Selection Chardonnay 2023 & Barrel Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Packaged in a sophisticated, branded 2-pack cardboard wine carrier, finished with ribbon & fynbos from the farm. -
Barrel Selection Gift Pack (3 pack option)
R825.00 (incl. VAT)
Barrel Selection Chardonnay 2023 & Barrel Selection Merlot 2022 & Barrel Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Packaged in a sophisticated, branded 3-pack cardboard wine carrier, finished with ribbon & fynbos from the farm. -
Bowwood Gift Box
R1040.00 (incl. VAT)
Bowwood Chenin Blanc 2022 & Bowwood Pinotage 2021 Packaged in an elegantly branded wooden box. Finished with some ribbon, fynbos from the farm, and a tasting note. Option to include a personalized note -
Out of stock
Festive Summer Gift Pack (2 pack option)
R375.00 (incl. VAT)
Little Sparkle (100% Chardonnay Sparkling Brut) & Option 1: Sauvignon Blanc 2024 OR Option 2: Petit Chenin Blanc 2024 OR Option 3: Petit Rouge Merlot 2022 OR Option 4: Baldrick Shiraz 2022 Packaged in a sophisticated, branded 2-pack cardboard wine carrier, finished with ribbon & fynbos from the farm. -
Out of stock
Petit Gift Pack (3 pack option)
R460.00 (incl. VAT)
Petit Chenin Blanc 2024 OR Sauvignon Blanc 2024 & Little Sparkle (100% Chardonnay Sparkling Brut) & Rose 2024 Packaged in a sophisticated, branded 3-pack cardboard wine carrier, finished with ribbon & fynbos from the farm. -
Petit Gift Pack (2 pack option)
R325.00 (incl. VAT)
Option 1: Petit Chenin Blanc 2024 & Baldrick Shiraz 2022 OR Option 2: Petit Rouge Merlot 2022 & Sauvignon Blanc 2024 OR Option 3: Petit Chenin Blanc 2024 & Rose 2024 OR Option 4: Petit Rouge Merlot 2022 & Rose 2024 Packaged in a sophisticated, branded 2-pack cardboard wine carrier, finished with ribbon & fynbos from the farm.
