Organic and Biodynamic
Organic and Biodynamic
Waterkloof Cape Coral Mourvedre Rosé 2022
Regular price £14.95A fine pale-coloured rosé with delicate aromas of pomegranates and raspberry and a distinctive flintiness. There’s finesse and elegance on the palate with flavours of soft red fruits, a gentle silky texture and a lingering fresh acidity on the finish.
If you ask someone what is their favourite wine, most would mention a red or a white. Very few would give a rosé. But, (for us) South Africa has taken the 'common' rosé and turned it into an art form.
Such a delicate and perfumed rosé. Take a bit of sophisticated Provence rosé, give it a little hint of international dynamic, a little bit of relaxed "take me as I am" S'African personality and the result is this deliciously drinkable rosé from Stellenbosch.
Country: South Africa
Region: Schapenberg, Stellenbosch
Grapes: Mourvedre
ABV: 13%
Biodynamic and Organic
Winemaker Nadia Barnard:
In October 2022 Penny had the great pleasure of visiting Waterkloof Estate on the slopes of the Schapenberg, Stellenbosch with a few colleagues from the UK wine trade. They spent the good part of two days being driven around this beautiful, sustainably managed piece of land by winemaker, Nadia Barnard. All of the vineyards on the estate are farmed following organic and biological principles. Here at Cellar Door Wines we've always been huge fans of Waterkloof wines. It is always lovely to taste Nadia's wines in Saint Albans, but to be able to do so at Waterkloof, with the woman herself, was extra special. Tasting wine at the place of its birth explains the why and the how of its individuality. The people behind the vineyard and winery are also key components in the equation. The Cape and Waterkloof has such diversity of wine style with a great price quality ratio.
Waterkloof Circumstance Biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Regular price £16.95Crushed laurel on the nose with more than a nuance of residual seaside salt.... or if you want a less pretentious description...bl**dy delicious!
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc
ABV: 13%
Vegan, Vegetarian friendly
Biodynamic
This has a big and textured palate with stone fruit and fennel hints – it is rich and minerally, showing even a slight rocky quality about it. As bracing as the wind through the vines at Waterkloof.
Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004 this majestic and fully-fledged biodynamic estate is perched high on top of hill overlooking the Western Cape’s False Bay and produces delicately fine wines with a real sense of place.
Waterkloof Circle of Life Red (Biodynamic)
Regular price £12.95Champions of Biodiversity and Sustainable Biodynamic Farming.
A hugely compelling wine. Deeply refined single estate expression showing bounds of character, finesse, length, breadth and structure - it really does have it all! A classically styled wine with notes of cassis and cedar. The seamless, elegant palate is encased by fine tannins.
A harmonious and integrated blend that combines the spiciness of the Syrah, the fresh fruits of the Petit Verdot and the juiciness from the Merlot. The beginning is fresh and fruity with good acidity, evolving into riper flavours and herbaceous notes, with elegant tannins and fine, bright acid in the finish.
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
ABV: 14.5%
Grapes: 56% Syrah, 27% Petit Verdot, 17% Merlot
Organic, Biodynamic
WATERKLOOF estate was founded in 2004, ending Paul Boutinot’s persistent and uncompromising 10 year search for a vineyard site with the potential to produce truly fine wine with a defining sense of origin. Located on the south-facing slopes of Schapenberg Hill near Somerset in the Stellenbosch district of the Western Cape’s Coastal Region, Waterkloof shares its magnificent Atlantic views with free-roaming peacocks and other natural fauna and flora attracted to this haven. Certified by Demeter in 2015, their vineyards are of only a few in the Cape to boast official biodynamic approval and status. The estate has 56 hectares under vine and Tim Atkin’s Cape Classification currently ranks Waterkloof as 5th Growth level. With production around 165,000 bottles per year, Waterkloof make “honest wines” from their unique biodynamic coastal site. Respect for nature, traditional winemaking practices and minimal intervention are all key to their success.
Laibach The Ladybird Organic Red 2019
Regular price £17.95Complex nose with hints of spice, chocolate and mocha. Good structure with plum and mineral complexity and a lingering finish.
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet & Malbec
ABV: 14%
Waterkloof Seriously Cool Cinsault Biodynamic 2021
Regular price £15.95Juicy, crunchy and fresh red fruit. Soft tannins. Very easy drinking. Biodynamic.
This wine is playful in its aromas with pronounced cassis tones. Furthermore, a combination of blackcurrant, candied orange zest, violets and spices can be appreciated on the nose. In the mouth cassis fruit dominates with some spiciness to it, which is complemented by soft tannins that develop effortlessly.
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
ABV:11.5%
Grapes: Cinsault
Cinsault vines have been grown for centuries in Southern France. In the Rhône and Languedoc regions it is primarily used as a supporting agent in red blends, especially Châteauneuf-du- Pape, to add spice and aromatics whilst mellowing out harsh tannins.
But perhaps its most important role in wine history took place in South Africa, where in 1925 it was crossed with Pinot Noir by Stellenbosch University Professor A.I. Perold in an attempt to create a unique South African varietal. Today this proudly South African varietal is known as Pinotage.
Seriously Cool Cinsault is produced from more than 40 year old bush vines on the cool slopes of the Helderberg region. Older vines are known to have reached optimal balance in growth and production through time. This allows for low yields and ripe fruit with intense flavours. The soils are of decomposed granite origin with medium-sized stones, helping with drainage and moisture retention. Production was approximately 4t/ha.
Iona Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Regular price £18.25The Elgin Valley is one of the coolest regions in South Africa and is famous for making wonderfully refreshing and classy white wines.
Fragrance of pure white grapefruit, intense tropical fruit, ripe gooseberry and fleshy kiwi fruit over-lay Iona’s distinctive herbal and floral undertone. The palate is keenly balanced showing cut green apples and lime marmalade followed by great minerality and length.
Country: South Africa
Region: Elgin
ABV: 13.5%
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc.
At 420m above sea-level, set high above the picturesque Elgin Valley, Iona includes some of the coolest vineyards in the Cape. This creates an extremely long growing season, harvesting up to 2 months after Stellenbosch, which results in diverse, complex flavours and fresh, elegant wines. The philosophy at Iona is to make wines that reflect the soil and climate as closely as possible. They make use of sustainable farming methods and use natural products wherever possible in the winemaking.
Waterkloof Circumstance Mourvèdre 2018/2020
Regular price £18.95An elegant rendition of this normally unruly varietal. Features raspberry, dark fruit and herbal notes whilst an almost meaty, wild aroma can be detected on the nose. Typical vigour expected from this varietal, with a high concentration of fine tannin and a surprising lightness of touch helped by the lower alcohol.
Country : South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grape: Mourvèdre
ABV: 13.5%
Living soils and a natural approach to winemaking means that each of the single-varietal wines in the Circumstance range is truly defined by the circumstances influencing the chosen varietal and vineyard blocks, including: soil, aspect, altitude and vintage. The Mourvedre is from a single, windswept, south-facing (less sun exposure) block 250-300m above and a mere 2 miles from The Atlantic. These factors combine to produce low yields, balanced grapes and wines with a true sense of place. Production was a miserly 4 tons per hectare. Mourvedre is one of the few varietals with enough wind-resistance to plant as bush-vine on Waterkloof. Grapes are hand-harvested and brought to the cellar by horses for hand-sorting. Bunches are sorted and whole-bunch fermentation happens spontaneously with wild yeast in large, open-top wooden fermenters. Manual punch-downs or foot-pressing take place 1-2 times per day and the wine is left on skins for 30 days before going through malolactic fermentation in old 600 litre barrels then ageing for 16 months in the same vessels. No fining, just a light filtration. No additons other than sulphur. Vegan friendly, biodynamic wine. 6 barrels made.
Laibach The Ladybird Organic White 2022
Regular price £15.95Fresh and complex with notes of white peach, almonds and a hint ripe papaya. Expressive on the palate with a lingering finish.
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grapes: Chardonnay, Chenin,and Viognier
ABV: 13.5%
Food Match: Paella
Raats Dolomite Cabernet Franc
Regular price £17.20Dolomite wines express great purity of fruit and balanced elegance. The nose shows dark and red cherry. Dark berries, spiciness and herbs linger on the palate. The wine has great purity of fruit with a hint of wet-stone minerality and a velvet soft finish.
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
ABV: 13.5%
Grapes: Cabernet Franc 90%
Malbec 10%
Waterkloof Circle of Life White 2020
Regular price £14.95The Sauvignon Blanc aromas are prominent on the nose, with beautiful lime and prickly pear notes. Intense flavours, with great balance. A tight mineral core and creamy mid palate from the Chenin Blanc allows for great complexity and a persistent finish. The Sauvignon Blanc lends lovely, fresh acidity to the wine. Waterkloof are champions of Biodiversity and Sustainable Biodynamic Farming.
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
ABV: 14.5%
Grapes: Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, Semillon
Organic, Biodynamic
WATERKLOOF estate was founded in 2004, ending Paul Boutinot’s persistent and uncompromising 10 year search for a vineyard site with the potential to produce truly fine wine with a defining sense of origin. Located on the south-facing slopes of Schapenberg Hill near Somerset in the Stellenbosch district of the Western Cape’s Coastal Region, Waterkloof shares its magnificent Atlantic views with free-roaming peacocks and other natural fauna and flora attracted to this haven. Certified by Demeter in 2015, their vineyards are of only a few in the Cape to boast official biodynamic approval and status. The estate has 56 hectares under vine and Tim Atkin’s Cape Classification currently ranks Waterkloof as 5th Growth level. With production around 165,000 bottles per year, Waterkloof make “honest wines” from their unique biodynamic coastal site. Respect for nature, traditional winemaking practices and minimal intervention are all key to their success.
Iona Elgin Pinot Noir 2020/2021
Regular price £29.00Succulent black cherry aroma, bright but delicate and hints of forest floor, with underlying floral and spicy notes. On the palate, the wine is powerful, with silk-textured length.
Country: South Africa
Region: Elgin
ABV: 13%
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Food match
Beef Bourginon with mushroom or braised lamb shanks.
In early 1997, Andrew Gunn, an engineer by training was contemplating his next career move. Having always loved the outdoors, the prospect of farming appealed to him and feeling young and energetic enough to start a new career, left the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg to begin the search for the ‘perfect’ farm.
After months of searching and 40 farm visits later, Andrew and a very tired estate agent stumbled upon a solitary run down apple farm on a mountain top overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The prospect of a suitable farm in Elgin intrigued Andrew and on driving through the valley, he became excited by the beauty of the area. Surrounded by the Kogelberg Biosphere and Forestry the property had no agricultural neighbours. The rolling hills and the drive up the mountain to where the farm was situated, 420 meters above sea level, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, was unlike anything he had ever seen. It was love at first sight.
As he drove in and stopped in front of a rather run down Herbert Baker homestead, he felt, “this is where I would like to live”, and the view from the front of the house overlooking the Elgin Valley below, made up his mind.
Half Bottle Laibach The Ladybird Organic Red 2018
Regular price £11.95Complex nose with hints of spice, chocolate and mocha. Good structure with plum and mineral complexity and a lingering finish.
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet, Petit Verdot & Malbec
ABV: 14.5%
Iona Chardonnay 2021
Regular price £29.00From the Elgin region, South Africa's coolest and best areas for white wine making.
Stylish and burgundian with lime and lemon undertones. Bright citrus, oyster shell minerality, and a hint of almonds and biscuit brioche on the finish. Beautiful floral notes and bright fresh acidity persist.
Country: South Africa
Region: Elgin
ABV: 13%
Grapes: Chardonnay
In early 1997, Andrew Gunn, an engineer by training was contemplating his next career move. Having always loved the outdoors, the prospect of farming appealed to him and feeling young and energetic enough to start a new career, left the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg to begin the search for the ‘perfect’ farm.
After months of searching and 40 farm visits later, Andrew and a very tired estate agent stumbled upon a solitary run down apple farm on a mountain top overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The prospect of a suitable farm in Elgin intrigued Andrew and on driving through the valley, he became excited by the beauty of the area. Surrounded by the Kogelberg Biosphere and Forestry the property had no agricultural neighbours. The rolling hills and the drive up the mountain to where the farm was situated, 420 meters above sea level, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, was unlike anything he had ever seen. It was love at first sight.
As he drove in and stopped in front of a rather run down Herbert Baker homestead, he felt, “this is where I would like to live”, and the view from the front of the house overlooking the Elgin Valley below, made up his mind.
Nativo The Birds Organic Red 2020
Regular price £19.95A fruity, juicy, medium-bodied Swartland red blend. Generous red fruit flavours balanced with soft, earthy tannins.
Country: South Africa
Region: Swartland
Grapes: Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre
ABV: 13.5%
False Bay Rosé 2022
Regular price £9.95Old bush vine Cinsault forms the backbone of this 'proper' rosé. A pale, spicy and textural Rosé mostly sourced from bush-vine Cinsault with summer fruits on the palate and a lovely clean, savoury, dry finish.
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grapes: Cinsault, Mourvedre
ABV: 12%
There is almost no food that fails to work with this wine. Perfect with Mediterranean dishes especially juicy pan-fried garlic prawns... or drink chilled on its own.
Reyneke Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Regular price £19.9594 points Tim Atkin MW
5 Star Platter Winery
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grapes: Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc
ABV: 12.5%
Organic and Biodynamic
Vegan/Vegetarian
B Vintners Methode Ancestral 2022
Regular price £20.50This sparkling wine was made using the oldest method, dating back to the 15th century, Methode Ancestrale. Never disgorged, no added sulphites in the wine, and minimal intervention allows for maximum character. Pomegranate, fynbos and the most delicate of brioche on the nose, with a mouth-filling bubble burst.
Country : South Africa
Region: Western Cape, Stellenbosch
Grape: Pinotage
ABV : 11.5%
Food Match: Best as an aperitif or with fresh fish dishes, including ceviche. Made for everyday enjoyment
Vegan, Organic, Natural
In celebration of their Bruwer family heritage cousins, Bruwer Raats and Gavin Bruwer Slabbert created Bruwer Vintners Vine Exploration Company in 2014.
Their guiding mission is to craft exceptional wines showcasing their heritage, the unique terroir and, through this, create a new future for South African wine. “We’re storytellers, always eager to honour our Cape heritage and historically-linked varieties. However, there are learnings to be taken from the past too, and it is important to incorporate these lessons today in order to produce finer wine for tomorrow’s wine drinkers,” explains Gavin. The result is a range that carefully balances two realms of the winemaking spectrum. By honouring the heritage of the Cape and incorporating innovative and minimal intervention winemaking techniques, B Vintners allows the vineyard to tell the tale, expertly crafting the most honest expression of the fruit of the vine. Today, B Vintners is an award-winning, terroir-driven range that blends a bit of the past and present to bring you a taste of the future.
Reyneke Organic Red 2020
Regular price £16.95Lots of ripe, dark fruit with a hint of meatiness. This is a braai wine for sure!
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grapes: Shiraz, Cabernet
ABV: 13.5%
Organic
Vegan/Vegetarian
Reyneke is 5 star Platter Winery!
Nativo The Bees Organic Viognier 2021
Regular price £19.95Deliciously fragrant with notes of pineapple and almond. Smooth and balanced finish with lingering orange blossom.
Country: South Africa
Region: Swartland
Grapes: Viognier
ABV: 13.5%
Porseleinberg 2021
Regular price £69.95Porseleinberg is the result of Marc Kent’s search for the best Syrah grapes, a journey
that inevitably took him to the Swartland. It was here that Kent found an isolated and
windswept wine farm perched atop the Porseleinberg mountain.
The site is now recognised as one of the greatest Syrah vineyards in the world.
Country: South Africa
Region: Swartland
ABV: 13.9%
Grape: Syrah
Organic
The 4th vintage of applying the submerged cap technique, which continues to emphasise Porseleinberg's unique tannin profile. A reserved start is noticeable, after which the wine opens to red and black fruit, with a mineral and savoury spice. A crunchy, dry and grippy, yet fine tannin soundly carries the fruit to cover ones palate. The finish is long and fresh with good fruit concentration and some salty minerality. Drink from 2031-35. Winemaker Callie Louw
Waterkloof Syrah 2020
Regular price £30.75Lifted, perfumed, red berry nose with peppery, smoky notes. Ripe and fleshy on the palate with fine, fresh plummy fruit leading to a long, savoury, structured finish.
Country : South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grape: Syrah
ABV: 14%
Hand-picked and hand-sorted. Whole bunch wild yeast ferment in an old open-top French oak fermenter. Foot-treading and manual punch-downs followed by 24 months ageing in old 600l French oak barrels. No additions other than sulphur.
The third release under the Waterkloof label, an elegant, northern Rhone-ish Syrah with lovely purity of crushed red berry fruit. Supple and plush but built to last.
Iona Fynbos Chardonnay 2020
Regular price £47.50
93 points, Tim Atkin
The Fynbos Vineyard has well drained soils with north facing slopes that result in a rich, fleshy, generous wine. This wine was 100% wild fermented in a selection of 228L and 300L French oak barrels (25% new, the rest in 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill barrels). It remained on the lees for a total of 12 months with no battonage. Nuanced and multi-layered – this vineyard produces wines with depth and weight, and great structure that allows for significant ageing potential. Sandstone is the dominant soil type in this north-facing vineyard on Iona's spectacular farm. More open and aromatic than its stablemate Kloof, it has top notes of fynbos and aniseed, flavours of honey and stone fruit and attractive patisserie spices from 25% new oak. TA
Country: South Africa
Region: Elgin
ABV: 13%
Grapes: Chardonnay
In early 1997, Andrew Gunn, an engineer by training was contemplating his next career move. Having always loved the outdoors, the prospect of farming appealed to him and feeling young and energetic enough to start a new career, left the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg to begin the search for the ‘perfect’ farm.
After months of searching and 40 farm visits later, Andrew and a very tired estate agent stumbled upon a solitary run down apple farm on a mountain top overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The prospect of a suitable farm in Elgin intrigued Andrew and on driving through the valley, he became excited by the beauty of the area. Surrounded by the Kogelberg Biosphere and Forestry the property had no agricultural neighbours. The rolling hills and the drive up the mountain to where the farm was situated, 420 meters above sea level, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, was unlike anything he had ever seen. It was love at first sight.
As he drove in and stopped in front of a rather run down Herbert Baker homestead, he felt, “this is where I would like to live”, and the view from the front of the house overlooking the Elgin Valley below, made up his mind.