• VINEYARDS This tiny, tree-lined vineyard is tucked away in the upper valley of our farm, protected from harsh sunlight and extreme temperatures, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly. These moderate temperatures help preserve the grape’s natural acidity and fresh citrus aromas. The yields are kept low to eliminate stress in the vine and ensure good uniform ripeness. The soil is made up entirely of wellweathered granite. VINIFICATION All grapes are picked at optimum ripeness in the early hours of the morning. They are then packed into a cold room to be chilled further for processing the following day. The grapes are whole bunch pressed, which reduces the absorption of coarse phenolics and helps retain more of the grape’s natural vibrancy. The juice is not settled but sent directly to three and 400-liter French oak barrels where spontaneous wild yeast fermentation takes place. No Sulphur is added, and the wine typically undergoes a high degree of malolactic fermentation. The wine is matured on its yeast lees for 7 months after which it is blended to tank, then returned to barrel for a further 4 months. The wine spends 11 months in barrel before finally being returned to tank for a gentle filtration and stabilization before bottling. TASTING NOTES & CELLARING & FOOD PAIRING The wine has a bright hue and a vibrant golden colour. It has a striking nose of sliced pear and peach blossom interwoven with subtle lime and caramelised oats. A full-bodied wine but with excellent palate tension. Crisp apple and chalky citrus are infused with layers of Crème Brulé and roasted almonds. The flavours are refreshing, and the finish refined. Exceptionally well suited to grilled fish, creamy Alfredo pasta, and salads. The freshness of the wine also makes it ideal for mild, aromatic curries. Accolades 2019 Vintage: 2021 Platter’s Guide – 4 Stars 2020 South African Wine Index (SAWI) – Platinum Award 95+ 2021 South African Wine Index (SAWI) – Platinum Award 95+ 2020 Vintage: 2022 Platter's Guide - 4 Stars 2021 Vintage: 2022 Michelangelo-Double Gold 2023 Platter's Guide - 4 Stars (87 Pts) 2022 Vintage: 2023: Michelangelo- Double Gold 2023:Vitis Vinifera- Gold 2024: Platter’s Guide- 4 Stars(89Pts)   Analysis pH 3.34 Total Acidity 6.1 g/l Residual Sugar 5.1 g/l Alcohol 13.64 % Download Tasting Sheet
  • VINEYARDS Beautiful mature Chenin Blanc planted on south-facing slopes and composed exclusively of shy bearing, well-weathered granite soils. These vineyards produce a low average crop of only 9 tons per hectare, which ensures a tremendous concentration of fruit flavours on the palate. All the fruit is hand-picked on taste at optimum ripeness, ranging from 21-23ºB. VINIFICATION Our grapes are picked in the cool, early hours of the morning and processed immediately. The grapes are destemmed and chilled further before they are pressed. This short supply from vine to press ensures minimal degradation of the fruit aromas. The free-run juice and press juices are kept separate from each other and treated according to their individual character. The wines are cold fermented in small stainless-steel tanks and are 100% unwooded. This method locks in freshness and vigor, which elevates the natural aromatics. After fermentation, the wines are matured on the yeast lees to promote mouth feel and creaminess, before they are blended, stabilized, and bottled. TASTING NOTES & CELLARING & FOOD PAIRING he wine has a striking, pale lime colour. The nose has pronounced tropical aromas of guava, passion fruit, and melon with an interesting floral, potpourri twist. On the palate, you can enjoy white peach, kiwi fruit, and pink lady apple, underpinned by a delightful flinty freshness and delicate citrus finish. Full and fresh, this wine will pair well with prawn risotto, lobster, soft cheeses, and sunshine. Accolades 2022 Vintage: 2022 Michelangelo - Double Gold 2022 Gilbert Gaillard - Gold (87 pts) 2021 Vintage: 2021 Michelangelo - Gold 2020 Vintage: 2020 Gold Wines Awards - Gold   Analysis pH 3,42 Total Acidity 5.9 g/l Residual Sugar 3.3 g/l Alcohol 12.7 % Download Tasting Sheet
  • (100% Muscat de Frontignan) VINEYARDS This wine is made from a single vineyard of Muscat d’Frontignan. The winemaking begins in the vineyard. When the acidity and sugar are in perfect harmony, the stem of each bunch is individually crimped to isolate the bunch from the vine. The crimping process stops the supply of water to the bunch, causing the berries to desiccate on the vine. Crimping is done before the grapes are 100% ripe and still high in natural acidity. The crimping process concentrates the sugar and the acidity of the berries and takes up to two weeks. The grapes are naturally protected from the sun by the vine canopy and air movement across the berries stops moulds and fungi from forming while they are drying. Finally, the fruit is ready for picking. VINIFICATION The dried grapes are hand-picked and chilled overnight. They are then destemmed, but not crushed, directly to open top fermenters. Here the berries are fermented much like a red wine, with periodic punch downs, to extract all the syrupy juice from inside. This method adds structure to the wine and the light tannins help to preserve fruity freshness. After approximately one week on the skins, they are pressed, and fermentation is completed in tank. Fermentation stops naturally when the combination of high acidity, increasing alcohol and concentrated sugar finally becomes too inhibitory for the yeast. The wine is aged for 11 months on the gross lees before it is bottled. TASTING NOTES & CELLARING & FOOD PAIRING The wine displays a golden to light amber colour. It has a perfumed nose of bright pineapple, ripe apricot, honeyed marmalade and seductive rose petal. These heady aromas are supported by orange blossom, jasmine and wild rosemary. The nose carries through to the taste, where the mouth-watering sweetness is cut by a tangy acidity, which ensures a persistent and refreshing finish. This is a naturally fermented and unfortified wine, and allows for many delightful treats, which may incl. savoury duck liver pate, sweet spice-laced puddings and traditional soft cheeses. Serve chilled and don’t wait for dessert. Accolades 2022 Platter’s Guide – 4.5 Stars

    2017 Vintage:

    2020 Platter’s Guide – 4.5 Stars 2018 James Suckling SA Report 90 points

      Analysis pH 3.38 Total Acidity 6.4 g/l Residual Sugar 177.6 g/l Alcohol 12.38 % Download Tasting Sheet
  • (100% MERLOT) VINEYARDS The grapes for this delicious wine originate from a vineyard we call the Spice Block. A steep, Southwest-facing slope of primarily granite but with a touch of gravel and clay to flesh it out. The vines are nearing twenty years of age and moderate crops ensure that the wine has a wholesome body and intense flavour. Picking is done by hand and the berries are sorted to remove any unwanted green matter. VINIFICATION Upon arrival at the cellar, the grapes are pre-chilled before processing. Once chilled they are gently destemmed, and the berries cold-soaked for two days before natural fermentation begins. A combination of whole and crushed berries allows for a slow extraction of tannins and an intense fruit-driven profile. Fermentation takes place in open-top fermenters and extraction is encouraged by hand plunging. After fermentation, extended maceration on the skins is allowed for one week. Extended maceration allows the components to mesh and achieve greater harmony. The wine is then drained to 300Lt French oak barrels and the skins are pressed in a traditional wooden basket press. Malolactic fermentation takes place in the barrel after which the wine is racked and returned to barrel for at least one full year. After 18 months in barrel, the wine is bottled and matured briefly before being released. TASTING NOTES & CELLARING & FOOD PAIRING The wine has a vibrant, dark ruby red colour. A truly splendid nose of black cherry, sweet raspberry and aromatic lavender. The palate is smooth and soft with abundant, juicy redberry fruit, sweet liquorice and exceptionally fine tannin. The finish is clean, long and lingering. Our Merlot pairs wonderfully with tomato-based pasta dishes, chicken and barbequed lamb chops. Accolades 2019 Vintage:

    2022 Top 10 2022 Platter’s Guide- 4 Stars 2022 Gilbert Gaillard – Double Gold (91pts)

    2018 Vintage:

    2021 Platter’s Guide – 4 Stars 2021 Winemag -92 pts 2021 Tim Atkin -89 pts

      2017 Vintage: 2021 Platter's Guide – 4 Stars 2018 Michelangelo Awards – Gold Medal 2020 Veritas - Silver 2018 Tim Atkin 92 Points 2020 Winemag 90 Points Analysis pH 3.53 Total Acidity 5.7 g/l Residual Sugar 4.0 g/l Alcohol 14.0 % Download Tasting Sheet
  • (100% Chenin Blanc) VINEYARDS This wine is made from a single, site-specific vineyard, planted in ancient granitic soils. It’s the highest vineyard on Vondeling and offers magnificent views of our beautiful Voor Paardeberg region. The elevation of the vines, as well as the steepness of the slope and a Southfacing aspect, ensure that this is our coolest location. The vineyard has poor vigour and the vines are shy yielding. This ensures tiny berries with concentrated flavour and vibrant acidity. VINIFICATION The grapes are hand-picked in mid-February with a ripeness of 23.5 Balling. Each bunch is pre-chilled before being whole bunch pressed. The juice remains unsettled and is transferred immediately to French Oak barrels for fermentation. At no stage is yeast or acid added and the “Dirty juice” acts as a nutrient source for the indigenous yeast. It also imparts considerable structure and gives the wine its golden appearance. During the wine’s winter maturation on the gross lees, it normally undergoes a high degree of Malolactic fermentation. This process softens the wine and ensures the harmonious integration of the oak. After winter, the finest barrels are selected, racked and returned for an additional 6 months in barrel. In January, the barrels are screened a second time and the chosen few are prepared for bottling. Due to the fullness and structure of this wine, we insist on a minimum of 9 months rest in bottle before release for purchase. FURTHER REMARKS The Bowwood motto is to produce singular, sight-specific wines that exemplify not only the best examples of their type in South Africa but of those of the world. Special attention is given to how the wine will mature over time and we highly recommend additional cellaring to release the wine’s full potential. TASTING NOTES & CELLARING & FOOD PAIRING Light dances through this wine’s bright, gold leaf colour. It captures, bends and reflects with the same hypnotic rhythm as a fresh mountain stream in the late light of summer. A cerebral experience, the wine is initially timid on the nose, but soon explodes kaleidoscopically in the back of the brain. Delicate apricot, yellow pear and cut straw aromas are fabulously supported by denser greengage, crushed cumin, raw almond and wild celery. The palate is luxurious and full, with a chalky dryness and vast savoury spectrum. Its mineral freshness showcases honeyed tangerine, roasted corn, ripe quince and sweet cashew. Savoury notes include freshly minced bay leaf and fine ground nutmeg. We recommend this wine be paired with nut crusted swordfish and saffron infused risotto or crispy, shredded duck on spring onion pancakes with tomato salsa. Accolades 2019 Vintage: 2022 Platter's Guide - 4.5 Stars 2022 Wine Cellar - 93pts 2022 Gilbert Gaillard - Double Gold (90pts) 2021 Winemag - 87pts 2021 Tim Atkin - 90pts 2021 Platter's Guide - 4.5 Stars 2020 Winemag 93 Points Analysis pH 3.6 Total Acidity 5.3 g/l Residual Sugar 4.4 g/l Alcohol 13.8 % Download Tasting Sheet

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