Groot Constantia’s 2013 Pinotage was a winner at this year’s Absa Top 10 Pinotage Awards, which honour and recognise local estates who produce wine from this unique and indigenous grape variety.
Groot Constantia, South Africa’s oldest wine producing estate, and the only estate from the Constantia region to produce a Pinotage, beat 154 other competitors for a well-deserved trophy at what is one of South Africa’s premier wine industry contests.
According to Boela Gerber, award winning wine maker for Groot Constantia, the winery has a big range for a relatively small estate. “It is amazing how many different climatic areas we have on one farm, and you cannot plant the whole of Groot Constantia with only two or three grape varieties. Therefore we have spent a lot of time over the years in identifying the best variety for each micro climate.”
“We have subsequently received recognition for literally all the wines in the range,” says Gerber. “It is rewarding to receive that independent vote of confidence which confirms that all the varieties are excelling in their special little pockets on the farm.”
“Pinotage does well in the Constantia Valley because of the slightly cooler, longer ripening conditions that the area offers. On the nose the wine offers a very similar flavour profile to that of its counterparts from the other wine growing regions, but displays more restraint and elegance on the palate,” advises Gerber, who goes on to say that it surprises him that Groot Constantia is the only wine estate in the Constantia region who produces a Pinotage. “It is a wonderful variety that shows a very elegant side in the Constantia Valley. Our Pinotage is very popular, both locally and internationally.”
With an uninterrupted record of wine production since its inception in 1685, Groot Constantia is South Africa’s oldest wine producing estate and has been enjoying its best year to date in terms of recognition – with the estate having raked up an impressive 22 top accolades over the last 12 months alone – and 93 since 2003.
“We have a great team at Groot Constantia that has been working together for quite a while now,” concludes Gerber. “We feel lucky that Bacchus has smiled upon us at the wine competitions this year, and it is great to get recognition for all the hard work that went into the vineyards over the years. 2014 is looking great in barrel, and 2015 – which is going into barrel at the moment – is also looking very promising. Hopefully we will have more to smile about in the years to come.
For more information visit www.grootconstantia.co.za.
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