International businessman Johann Rupert’s model winemaking enterprise, named for his late brother, Anthonij, has the 18th century L’Ormarins Estate as its Franschhoek home. The venture encompasses an internationally successful quintet of brands, namely: Anthonij Rupert, Cape of Good Hope, L’Ormarins, Terra del Capo and Jean Roi.
The Basson family of Nooitgedacht, farms the vines themselves in the famous granite soils of the Paardeberg. Bush vines at high altitude on the top of Paardeberg in Swartland is a challenge between farmers, baboons, buck and winds. Natural low yields and the higher altitude, with no irrigation and small vines, complicate the situation. Its unique terroir, especially the shale soils, expresses itself strongly in the wine with unique varietal characteristics.The vines for this blend are all planted on South facing slopes at elevations of 350 – 400m above sea level. The oldest Chenin Blanc bush vines were planted in 1987, and more recently a small parcel of Chenin Blanc was planted in 2013.The higher density plantings of Viognier (2009), Roussanne (2009) and Marsanne (2011/12) are all échalas trellised (vine trained on its own wooden stake). The 2020 blend includes the maiden harvest of Piquepoul Blanc – a variety
renowned for its high natural acidity grown primarily in the southern Rhone Valley and Languedoc regions of France.This was also the 1st commercial
production of Piquepoul Blanc in South Africa.
Blend: Marsanne (37%), Roussanne (37%), Chenin Blanc (20%), Viognier (6%)