Stellar Organics Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape RSA

This wine comes from the Western Cape is the only area in the world where Rooibos tea, known since the time of the San for its medicinal properties, can be cultivated. It seemed only natural to combine the South African sun with ripe locally called Hanepoot grapes on a bed of organic Rooibos tea. During the drying of the grapes on straw and Rooibos tea, the fragrance of the Rooibos has infused the grapes. Next gathered the grapes are put through the crusher and destemmer. Next the fruit is soaked in its own juice, at low temperature, to re-hydrate the more raisined berries. The mash was then pressed and is being fermented in barrels until the yeast can go no further. Stellar Winery is situated 275 km north of Cape Town on the road to Namibia. The winery makes use of a semi-arid climate, unrivalled refrigeration capacity and extensive in-house engineering skills to produce modern, Fairtrade organic wines. Stellar Winery was the first organic vineyard and cellar operation to receive the highly sought after Fairtrade accreditation. Fairtrade companies undertake to empower economically disadvantaged workers and ensure that a fair price is paid for the product along the whole supply chain. Stellar Winery undertakes a big commitment with both farm and cellar staff transported to and from work, while families receive health care and the permanent services of a community worker. Workers receive free housing, electricity and water as well as subsidised schooling and child-care facilities. Finally, a percentage of the wholesale price of the wine is paid directly back to the Stellar Fairtrade Workers' Trust. The wine is made in the sparsely populated Namaqualand region and does not suffer the light pollution that plagues urban areas around the world. The dark nights and clean air result in a breathtaking cosmic display with the aptly-named Milky Way at its centre and the producer pays homage to this phenomenon with the Stellar Range. The wines are assembled from different farms, ferments and yeasts. Each wine in the blend starts with deep colour and ripe fruit and tannins. Individual nuances arise from organic agriculture, saline irrigation water, cooling afternoon winds, wild ferments and other still-to-be-discovered influences. Lightly wooded for structure rather than flavour, these wines offer a tasting experience that will provide a convincing argument for the ascendancy of organic over conventional wines. Available in 37.5 cl Half Bottles. (12 x 37.5 cl)

A tangy crisp tropical fruit flavour with green herbal overtones (6 x 75 cl)

Aromatic grapey medium dry white. (12 x 75 cl)

Bovlei Winery was established 1907 and is the second oldest co-operative winery in South Africa. For the past 98 years Bovlei Winery has been preparing palatable wines and this can be attributed to the excellent terroir from which the vine extract its treasure. As a result it has produced a bright zingey elderflower scented wine with good concentration of fruit and fresh grapefruity acidity. (12 x 75 cl)

This wine is made from Sauvignon Blanc and a little Semillon and is a pale green colour with a nose that jumps out of the glass. It is showing gooseberries, fig, tinned peas, black truffle, elderflower, some ripe fruits, cut grass, green pepper while the wine is full, intensely flavoured and very long on after taste. The Vergelegen vineyards are located on south or south-west facing slopes and this Sauvignon blanc is selected from both Vergelegen’s own vineyards in Somerset West and selected vineyards on the West Coast near the town of Koekenaap, approximately 400 km from Vergelegen. The grapes are picked when the desired flavours are showing at optimum. No skin contact is employed as they believe this technique leads to coarse wines. The juice is settled for 72 hours at low temperatures before inoculation with the desired yeast strain for Sauvignon grapes. To avoid conformity with other SA producers, they ferment at higher temperatures. This leads to fuller, bigger and more intensely-flavoured wines. Vergelegen, meaning 'situated far away', was granted to the Governor of the Cape in 1700 and the property has had a long and fascinating history since that time. Original owner Willem Adriaan Van der Stel, was a man of divergent interests who transformed the uncultivated land into a veritable paradise. He planted vines, camphor trees and oaks, laid out fruit orchards and orange groves, and introduced cattle and sheep, while today it is owned by Angolo America Farms. (12 x 75 cl)

Complex green grassy nose with passion fruit, guava and pear aromas. Gooseberry, green pepper and tropical fruit flavours on a full, rich palate with a long sweet-fruited finish. The word 'Indaba' has many meanings in the South African context, but its original translation is derived from a joining together to discuss issues of importance. Tribal chiefs in South Africa would call their people together to discuss any issues that might affect the village or surrounding area, and an ‘Indaba’ would be held. (12 x 75 cl)

Two Oceans Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape RSA from South Africa, Western Cape by Two Oceans (12 x 75 cl)

Dwyka Hills Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape RSA from South Africa, Western Cape by Dwyka Hills Zesty/Aromatic Dry Whites (12 x 75 cl)

A delicate combination of asparagus and green pepper flavours with touches of passion fruit and lime and a crisp. mineral finish. Fermented in stainless steel tanks at 15°C, after being racked and sulphured, kept on fine lees for two months. (12 x 75 cl)