Beaumont Mourvedre 2016

Beaumont is a family owned and managed farm situated in the heart of the town of Bot River (“Botter Rivier”) in the Overberg. The farm, home to the region’s oldest wine cellar, was originally established in the 1700’s by the Dutch East India Company. In the 1940’s the wine business was initially started but wine production was discontinued in the late 1960’s. Jayne and Raoul Beaumont bought the farm Compagnes Drift in 1974 and set about replanting the vineyards. However, the creation of wines in the farm cellar under the family name was only initiated years later. Their son, Sebastian Beaumont, now runs the farm.

The farm also grows pears, almonds and olives surrounded by fynbos and abundant bird life. It offers quintessential Overberg architecture with barns and homesteads authentically whitewashed with black tin rooves. Two of the original buildings have been beautifully restored as quaint self-catering cottages and the farm is home to one of the oldest working watermills in the country.

The wine label bears the crest of the Beaumont family. Originally found in the family signet ring, the roaring lion represents honor and courage and serves as a symbolic message of balance – a quality synonymous with their wines. The crest pays homage to their roots and represents the connection between farmland and family. The vineyards sit on clay-rich soil and are said to be among the finest in the area. Together with a non-conformist approach to wine-making, the vines produce notably balanced and classical wines.

Beaumont bottled the first single varietal Mourvèdre in the country in 1999 and since then they have produced limited amounts of this fascinating grape every year.