“As an french winemaker, my fascination with South Africa ignited during the 2003 harvest in Hermanus. Returning the following year, I solidified my bond with Gordon Newton Johnson, the owner of Newton Johnson vineyards in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. After a spirited evening, fueled by a few obligatory brandies, I managed to convince him to embark on a new venture with me. With my modest savings, I invested wholeheartedly in grapes and barrels, and thus, began crafting my first wines.
The inaugural vintage of 2005 saw the birth of a few barrels of Chardonnay and Syrah.
In 2013, my wife Sophie joined me on this adventure and embraced the project with open arms. .
Ever since my inaugural visit in 2003, I’ve been captivated by the remarkable potential of wines in South Africa, especially when cultivated in the cool-climate regions of Overberg, Walker Bay, Elgin, and the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. What truly fascinates me is the nuanced typicity of each area, transcending mere differences in soil composition, owing to the subtle climate nuances unique to each region.
My objective has been to collaborate with vineyards across these cool-climate zones, meticulously selecting blocks that epitomize the characteristics of each terroir. Through this process, I endeavor to unveil and articulate the distinct styles inherent to each region in my wines.” – Winemaker