Portfolio Offerings SOUTH AFRICA History cooling ocean breezes, is ideal for Regions of Cape Town with pockets of vineyards South Africa boasts a 350+ year history quality wine production. The area is Production zones in the Cape wine- spread throughout the foothills of the of winemaking. The French Huguenots dotted with breathtaking mountains lands are divided into five officially Piketberg, Porterville, Riebeek and and Dutch settlers brought vines from which create many diverse microcli- demarcated regions, which are subdi- Perdeberg mountains and along the their homelands and established vine- mates. The soils are some of the oldest, vided into 21 districts and 64 smaller banks of the Berg River. Franschoek, yards to provide wine to the Dutch most complex, and most varied found wards. Stellenbosch, recognized as nestled in the Western Cape 47 miles East India Company merchant ships. in any winegrowing area of the world. the educational and research center from Cape Town, is one of the oldest 1659 marked the Cape’s first recorded of the winelands, is home to some of Varietals towns in South Africa originally settled vintage. After enduring years of control South Africa’s most heralded estates. in 1688 by French Huguenot refugees. South Africa produces all the classic by the KWV cooperative, then strug- Breezes off False Bay help to moderate Due to its many highly rated restaurants global varietals, including Chenin gling beneath global trade sanctions, temperatures in this very mountainous and the different varietals that are culti- South Africa began a new era of wine- Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, region, located east of Cape Town. vated, it is considered by many to be making following the fall of apartheid in Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, While Stellenbosch produces excel- the “food and wine capital” of South the early 1990s. The quality revolution Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc. lent examples of all of the “classic” Africa. Walker Bay is situated on the that has swept the Cape wine industry The unique Pinotage varietal, a cross varietals, it is best known for its reds. southern coast of the Western Cape in the past two decades has been between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, was Constantia, located on the southern and receives a heavy maritime influence nothing short of astounding. Critics developed in the Cape in 1925 by slopes of the Table Mountain range, which provides cooling breezes that and consumers around the globe have Abraham Perold, Stellenbosch’s first just south of Cape Town, is some- allow grapes to enjoy a slow ripening enthusiastically embraced the wines of times called South Africa’s “cradle professor of viticulture. Chenin Blanc process. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and South Africa, and demand continues to of winemaking.” It was here that the is the most widely planted grape in Sauvignon Blanc are held in high regard grow at record-setting pace. Cape’s most important vineyards in this area. South Africa, and the only one with were planted in the late 1600s. The Geography, Climate, & Soils significant old vines plantings; Cabernet cool climate of this coastal region is Statistics Located at the tip of the African Sauvignon is the most widely planted ideal for white wine production, and South Africa is the continent, the Cape winelands are red variety, but the gap is closing as Constantia is perhaps best known for world’s 7th largest nestledbetween the Atlantic and Syrah plantings continue to grow. its elegant, minerally Sauvignon Blancs. producer of wine, Indian Oceans. The Cape’s mild Swartland is an area that is gaining with total produc- Mediterranean climate, tempered by acclaim, located about an hour north tion of 1,013 2 cape classics portfolio offerings 3 million liters. There are now 485 private aspects of production, including cellars, and 3,314 grape growers, with energy use, carbon emissions, waste- an estimated 99,463 hectares (245,778 water management, pest management, acres) under vines. White varietals noise and pollution, packing mate- constitute 55% of the plantings, led by rials and bottling facilities, health and Chenin Blanc (18% of total plantings), safety, and the protection of the Cape’s while Cabernet Sauvignon leads the unique biodiversity. Sustainable farming red plantings (11%). encompasses a range of agricultural practices that are not only ecologi- sustainability cally sound, but economically viable South African wines lead the world and socially responsible. All of Cape in environmental sustainability and Classics’ producers employ sustainable production integrity. The Integrated farming practices and are IPW certified. Production of Wines (IPW) scheme was While individual farms have the discre- introduced in South Africa in 1998, in tion to choose which practices work order to encourage sustainable, envi- best for their respective properties, our ronmentally friendly wine production. partner producers generally recycle, Administered by South Africa’s Wine & conserve energy and water and use Spirit Board, it is a voluntary monitoring renewable resources when possible. system that evaluates wine growing and To minimize the use of chemical prod- winemaking practices and their effects ucts, growers add nutrients to the soil Africa (SWSA) for biodiversity, and reduce farming on the environment. Participating through cover crops and compost, and seal – illustrated practices that have negative impacts wineries are graded on their adher- they control pests with native birds and below – will on biodiversity, both in the vineyards ence to basic guidelines on various beneficial insects. Beginning with the provide a visual and in surrounding natural habitat. 2010 vintage, producers who are IPW guarantee that Member wine farms are committed to certified were given the option to use a the wine was implementing biodiversity guidelines new Wine and Spirit Board seal, high- produced in an by restoring and protecting the natural lighting their commitment to environ- environmentally responsible manner. vegetation on their farms, adopting mentally sustainable wine production. A better farming practices and sustaining biodiversitY & great advantage for South Africa and a healthy natural ecosystems. The impact This icon represents wineries wine initiative world first, this Sustainable Wine South of the BWI on the vineyard growing that are BWI members. (BWI) is a pioneering partnership areas of the Cape established an inter- between the South African wine national benchmark for conservation industry and the conservation sector and business partnerships. Together that aims to conserve the rich biodi- “member” and “champion” farms have versity of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the set aside more acres for protection smallest yet most diverse plant kingdom than the total vineyard footprint on earth, and home to 95% of South in the Cape winelands. Currently Africa’s wine production. This global DeMorgenzon, Kanonkop, Morgenster, biodiversity hotspot and official World Sutherland, Thelema, and Weltevrede Heritage Site is under increasing threat are BWI members while Bartinney from agriculture, urban development, and Lourensford are champion BWI and invasive alien species. Key goals members. These farms are eligible of the BWI are to prevent further loss to use the BWI “Conservation in of habitat in critical sites, increase the Action” seal on their wines, alerting total area set aside as natural habitat consumers to their commitment to in protected areas, promote changes conservation efforts. in farming practices that enhance the suitability of vineyards as habitat 4 cape classics portfolio offerings 5 B VINTNERS Haarlem to Hope B Vintners was founded in 2013 by cousins SRP $26.99 Gavin Bruwer Slabbert and Bruwer Raats. Their Haarlem to Hope celebrates the rich vinous heritage Stellenbosch-based “vine exploration company” of the Cape of Good Hope. Each of the varieties in was created with a mission to celebrate two things: the blend were brought to South Africa in the 1600s heritage and terroir. Using the building blocks of site, by early Dutch settlers, and they became corner- vine, heritage and future, the pair have combined stones of wine production in the Cape. This beguiling youthful energy and sage experience to create an white blend entices with luscious nectarine, pear and innovative approach to winemaking. Their goal is to melon flavors, backed by alluring hints of lemongrass keep things simple, nurturing the grapes from vine and ginger spice, seamlessly interwoven with exotic to bottle and allowing the wines to express their floral notes. The wine possesses tremendous fruit sense of place. concentration, with bright acidity and a savory finish keeping it fresh and focused. Cousins Gavin Bruwer Slabbert and Bruwer Raats 6 cape classics portfolio offerings 7 Fire Heath Chardonnay Black Bream Pinot Noir SRP $32.99 SRP $32.99 This wine forms a part of B Vintners’ Terroir Specific Black Bream is an alternate name for South Africa’s range. Sourced from unique vineyard parcels discov- national fish, the galjoen. They are normally found ered through Gavin’s and Bruwer’s explorations, in shallow, inaccessible areas of the coastline with these wines show a distinct sense of place. The dangerous reefs and turbulent water, where the envi- Fire Heath Chardonnay is named for an indigenous ronment provides a natural safe haven. Similarly, the fynbos plant found in the Walker Bay region. The pioneering Black Bream vineyards are protected by wine is driven by a citrusy core of lime and tangerine, a hidden valley which creates a unique microclimate. with loads of fresh acidity and a bright mineral back- This sumptuous Pinot Noir offers generous red and bone. Luscious pear flavors and floral top notes black fruit flavors, backed by fragrant cinnamon and round it out, with delicate almond and spice notes clove spice. A thread of crushed oyster shell weaves coming through on the finish. through the palate, adding a distinct saline character Reservoir Road Pinot Noir and an appealing savoriness. SRP $26.99 Reservoir Road Pinot Noir is part of B Vintners’ Terroir Specific range.