Estates / Waterkloof Wines
Waterkloof Wines
Nadia Barnard
COUNTRY: South Africa
REGION: Western Cape
APPELLATION: Stellenbosch
In 1993 Paul Boutinot commenced his search for a vineyard site with the potential to produce truly fine wine with a defining sense of origin. The classic areas, capable of growing naturally balanced grapes such as the Cote d’Or, Chablis, Paulliac, Barolo, etc. were either unavailable or unattainable (rich men’s toys), so he had to find a new location and create a new classic. It took ten years to narrow the search down to a small area on the south-facing slopes of the Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay in the Cape.
As soon as he was led up a steep ravine opening out into a hidden amphitheater of potential, all his experience and intuition told him: THIS IS IT! Waterkloof was born, and the hard work began. The aim is to produce “honest” wines that truly express this unique site on the Schapenberg. Waterkloof is fortunate enough to be looking after a vineyard, which is capable of producing naturally balanced grapes, imbued with their own character and sense of place.
To respectfully transmit this character and balance into the bottle, the wines are made using minimal intervention and maximum care. The process is monitored, not dictated. All of the fruit is hand-picked and hand-sorted. Following careful selection, the red and white grapes are handled differently but are both treated and made with an equally natural approach.
Related Wines:
Wine Region:
Western Cape
Western Cape is the main wine province in South Africa. It includes most of the vineyards in the country, and produces strong red wines a la Rhone all the way to nuanced Sauvignon Blancs. Western Cape hosts two wine regions: Paarl and Stellenbosch.
The wine regions here reach from Cape Town to the Olifants River and Mossel Bay to the north and east, respectively. Inland, the Great Karoo Desert has a semi-arid influence. Although rainy and cool weather occurs, the climate is mainly Mediterranean. The Langeberg Range, Hottentot Hollands, Riversonderend, and Cederberg mountains in the Western Cape contribute mesoclimates and soil integral to premium viticulture. Granite, shale, and sandstone are dominant throughout the area, while loam and alluvium are found in the Berg, Breed, and Olifants rivers up north.
Featured Grape Varieties:
Pinotage
Chardonnay
Syrah
Chenin Blanc
Cinsault
Mourvedre
Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Other Information:
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We will add other information real soon. Stay tune for Updates.
We will add other information real soon. Stay tune for Updates.
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