Winemaker Notes
The South-Easterly from Aghulhas ensures that vineyards are cooled down each afternoon especially during the summer months. The 3 farms have quite diverse soils and daily temperatures.
Firstly, Mont Blois is situated in the Hoopsrivier Ward. They are the only winery in the Hoopsrivier area. The Hoopsrivier is an intermittent river that only flows after heavy South-Easterly rains late autumn and spring. Day and night temperatures in the De Hoop Valley are three degrees cooler than the town center which is about six kilometers away. This is due to the proximity of the Langeberg Mountains and the overshadowing it creates. On the river banks there are mainly deep alluvial soils with a large fraction of river pebbles. On the foot slopes, where the majority of vineyards are planted the soils heavy-textured reddish-brown soils.
Secondly, La Fontaine is also in the Hoopsrivier ward but about three km closer to the town center. Vineyards are located on the plains rather than foot slopes. This area is slightly warmer and is where the Pinotage and Cabernet vineyards are located. The reds ripen perfectly in the deep red Karoo soils with a high percentage of clay in the sub-layers.
Thirdly, Sunshine farm is typical Robertson soils and lies on the banks of the Breede River, about 25 km away from Mont Blois. Deep red Karoo soils with abundant limestone patches dominates on this farm. It’s the limestone that makes these soils so special. They ensure that natural acidity is retained in the grapes. This is a very low-rainfall area and irrigation is essential. Excellent quality water is obtained from the Brandvlei Dam as well as the Breede River. The soils on the banks of the Breede River are alluvial soils. The climate here is more continental with warm temperatures during the day and cold temperatures at night.
Within the Breede River Valley in South Africa, Robertson is a warm and dry winegrowing region notable for its white wines. The region is home to an increasing number of estates and cooperatives.
South Africa’s signature grape, Pinotage is a distinctively earthy and rustic variety. In 1924 viticulturists crossed finicky Pinot Noir and productive, heat-tolerant Cinsault, and created a variety both darker and bolder than either of its parents! Today it is popular in South Africa both as a single varietal wine and in Cape blends. Somm Secret—The name “Pinotage” is a subtle portmanteau. The Pinot part is obvious, but the second half is a bit confusing. In the early 1900s, Cinsault was known in South Africa as “Hermitage”—hence Pinotage.