Hip Wines

The chief winemaker Marc Kent at Boekenhoutskloof Winery is a genius with a commitment to quality on all levels and in every detail. And the winery has become one of the most celebrated of all South African wineries today.The old farm just outside the little town of Franschhoek in the Cape region, was created in 1776. It´s situated in a remote corner of the beautiful Franschhoek valley. The winery’s white-washed, Dutch-style farmhouse, once stood in an orchard of beech trees and from there it got its name. In 1993 the farm was bought and restored and a new vineyard planting programme was established. The new owners of Boekenhoutskloof have revamped an ancient cellar, and have installed state-of-the-art equipment as well as a quality maturation cellar. Let´s meet winemaker Marc and hear about how they created at wine concept based on traditions with an eye on the future.

Kanonkop is undoubtedly one of the top wine estates in South Africa. Kanonkop is situated on the lower slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain just outside the litle village Stellenbosch in the Cape Region.Wine maker Abrie Breslaar at Kanonkop is focusing on full-bodied and concentrated wines and in my book, they are the king of Pinotage. Abrie walked away with International Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London in 2008 and openly boasts about their Kanonkop Black Label. Let´s meet with fourth generation owner Johann Krige and wine maker Abrie Beeslaar and hear how their team keeping a strong focus on the best potential for aging the long lived red wines.

Winemaker Nadia Barnard at Waterkloof Winery are focusing on organic and biodynamic wines with a defining sense of origin. The Waterkloof estate, just outside Sommerset West in the Cape region. The unique impressive new world architecture; situated on the slopes of Schapenberg, with a 360 degree view over the vinyards and False Bay, is a fully-fledged biodynamic farm. At Waterkloof they are looking after the vineyards and are capable of producing naturally balanced grapes with their own character and sense of place and terroir. Let´s meet winemaker Nadia and hear about theire aim is to produce what they call “honest” wines.

Long recognized for producing world-class wines, Meerlust Estate has been the pride of the Myburgh family since 1756. Today, the traditional dedication to the art of winemaking continues under the guidance of Hannes Myburgh, eighth generation custodian of this seventeenth-century national monument. Meerlust, with its historic manor house, classic wine cellar, is situated fifteen kilometers south of Stellenbosch, with the blue crescent of False Bay a mere five kilometers away. Wines are only made from grapes grown on the Estate which is uniquely positioned for the production of wines with exceptional complexity and character. Meet the owner Hannes Myburgh, the cellarmaster Chris Williams and the marketing director Eddie Turner. And hear them talk about quality in wine and beyond.

De Toren is a boutique Private Cellar, established by Emil & Sonette Den Dulk in 1994. It is located just outside Stellenbosch in South Africa. The attention to details they give to their vineyards and to the winemaking process is reflected in the wine. They seem to have found the key to success with their simple winemaking philosophy: gentle handling, no pumps, and minimum manipulation. Armed with this winning formula, the boutique private cellar has quickly risen to the ranks of South Africa’s winemaking elite with their dazzling, stylish and complex five-varietal Bordeaux blend. It’s not just another wine. It’s a wine made with passion. Let´s meet marketing director Sean Coetzee and hear the story.