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Grape Minds Spotlights Cape’s Passionate Wine Individuals
Diversity and unity – both are useful concepts for the industry, suggests Angela Lloyd, musing on some elements of the recent Cape Wine 2006 event
Enjoying the buzz generated at the Grape Minds’ stand at Cape Wine 2006 are, from left: Bruwer Raats (co-owner Raats Family Wines), Heather Whitman and Steve Ludlam (partners –The Winery) Mzokhona Mvemve (owner and winemaker Sagila Wines), Bruce Jack (owner and winemaker Flagstone Winery) with his children, Edouard Labeye and Alex Dale (partners –The Winery), Eben Sadie (owner and winemaker Sadie Family Wines and Sequillo Cellars), Cornel Spies (co-owner Sequillo Cellars), Emil Den Dulk (owner – De Toren).
Grape Minds, an informal group of independently owned wine producers that jointly exhibited at Cape Wine 2006, is keen to repeat this marketing success that had their wines stealing some of the limelight from the bigger, established producers.
The Winery’s Alex Dale who master-minded the grouping, says the group was “highly encouraged by the response we had from the media and the industry, both from abroad and locally”. He believes it is the first time such a band of producers has embarked on a joint marketing effort, and fitting that the occasion should be at Cape Wine 2006.
Grape Minds comprised six small to medium-sized wine producers - Flagstone, De Toren, Raats Family Wines, Sagila Wines, Sequillo Cellars and The Winery – with a common philosophy over quality viticulture and winemaking, individuality in wine character and enjoyment in all their endeavours.
The week and the joint initiative kicked-off with a private function for selected mainly international industry players and journalists attending the expo.
SA wine industry stalwart John Platter, who spoke at this event, praised the Grape Minds producers for rising to “the top of a frenzied pile to become noticed and respected, not just because of any journalist, or because they enter the right shows, but because of their own imagination, hard work and flair.
“Collectively, they reflect the prerequisites of any successful wine region: diversity and specialisation, commitment and wine integrity and unmitigated, non-negotiable quality.”
Platter said Grape Minds’ quest is for differentiation, which is the essence of marketing. “They know that there will always be a shortage, and hence good price for, fine and individual wines.”
He added that because they were craftsmen, “the Grape Minds bunch can, and should connect directly with their consumers. Modern connectivity makes it possible to be their own communicators.”
Grape Minds “represents all that’s currently best about Cape wine: inspiration, imagination, individuality, a rugged spirit of adventure, and a growing record of genuine, unsung credible achievement”.
Dale adds that the “attention we enjoyed at the joint stand was formidable. Each of us was permanently busy, which of course, attracted more visitors. Because of the buzz at our stand we attracted far more people than was likely had we exhibited individually and, because of the camaraderie between those manning the stands, we exhibited our passion for the wines we individually produce.
“We complemented, rather than competed with, each other, sending one another useful leads and key visitors. Most importantly, the calibre of visitor was very high indeed. We all felt that our profile within the international industry has certainly benefited from this initiative and we all have a tremendous amount of following-up to do.”
He adds that the group will discuss future joint marketing initiatives once the Grape Minds producers have followed up their marketing leads from the expo.
Visitor to the stand Peter Clinton, President of Vinnovative Imports in the US, said that “these producers have quite simply stolen the show. This is the most attractive, laid-back, vibrant and fun stand at the event and the wines -without exception- are absolutely stunning.
“I visited the stand several times during the two days of the event and saw just about every key individual from the US market there. That’s a very enviable hit-rate. The big guys and smaller producers alike should take a leaf out of this book. Well done to Alex and his mates for pulling this off.
“Even in a market as difficult as today’s, there is definitely still room for individuality, quality and entrepreneurial spirit. These guys have certainly shown that.”
Brief profiles of the participating wineries:
SAGILA:
2005 marked the maiden vintage of Sagila Wines being released on the South African market. Made by Mzokhona Mvemve, Sagila is a tribute to his ancestors, specifically his great grandfather, who was a dignified man known for his rebellious spirit. The name Sagila refers to the traditional mace he carried with him. Both Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc are produced as single cultivars and retail from R65 to R125
De Compostella is a product of the meeting of minds between two winemakers and friends, Mzokhona Mvemve and Bruwer Raats. They combined their skills and artistry and created this unique experience. De Compostella or the compilation of Stars, comprises 33% Cabernet Franc, 18% Petit Verdot, 17% Malbec, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot. 2004 is the maiden vintage.
FLAGSTONE:
Recently voted one of the Top 10 Wineries in South Africa by the Sunday Times, Flagstone is family owned and operated by Bruce Jack and team. This 100% gravity flow cellar is situated in Somerset West, 400m away from the breaking waves of False Bay. Our philosophy is a simple one – that wine should add joy to life, and our passion is reflected in each vintage.
Esteemed wine writer Jancis Robinson said: “I’d nominate d’Arenberg in Australia, Bonny Doon in California and Flagstone in South Africa as three of a kind. Each enterprise offers a constantly expanding range of intriguingly named reds and whites at very fair prices which generally deliver not just good wine to drink (rather than ambitious wine to impress) but some entertainment too.”
The Foundation Range – our core brands. These include The Dragon Tree Cape Blend, Dark Horse Shiraz, Music Room Cabernet and Free Run Sauvignon Blanc. Wines that capture the essence of Flagstone. We believe the process is extremely important – handcrafted, balanced wines can contribute joy to a meal, a conversation and even a dream. Retailing from R30 – R165.
SEQUILLO CELLARS:
The Sequillo winery’s vineyards are in the Swartland region. An initiative of Eben Sadie and Cornel Spies, this winery will only ever produce two wines - a red blend of Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache and a white blend of Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and old vine Chenin Blanc. They retail at R125 a bottle.
As winemakers we take our cue from the environment to produce wines that truly reflect their soils and have a sense of place. We believe that in an ocean of wine, the ones with character will stand the test of time.
RAATS FAMILY WINES:
We produce benchmark South African Chenin Blanc of world class as we believe that this is the speciality white wine grape from SA. Cabernet-Franc is a unique and different varietal and, if you manage to make a good Cabernet-Franc, it epitomizes the class elegance and style that is possible with this varietal in SA. We are the only Cabernet-Franc specialist in SA.
- Raats Original Chenin Blanc (unoaked) R 55
- Raats Chenin Blanc R 90
- Raats Cabernet-Franc R 195
De Toren
The estate huddles closely to the ocean – that explains why the five classic cultivars of Bordeaux – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot – thrive in these vineyards.
Minute attention to the finest detail is evident, from the immaculate vineyards to the cellar’s tower that not only gives De Toren its distinctive silhouette, but also ensures that its wine is made with gentle gravity and never has to experience the torture of harsh mechanical pumps. This attention to detail, and the soft handling of the grapes, form the inextricable core of De Toren’s philosophy and success.
The concept of a gravity-fed winery, basket pressing and hand harvesting of the five Bordeaux grape varieties can only be a winning formula. The system of a 4 000 litre pressure tank in a lift shaft as a pump, hand-sorting conveyors and a basket press has since been implemented to perfection on our farm and produces excellent, complex and well balanced wines.
De Toren Fusion V is our flagship wine and retails at R210 a bottle. Diversity is our second label and retails at R95.
Our joint venture with Domaine Bertagna resulted in the exquisite DDS Driefontein Shiraz that sells at R295 a bottle.
The Winery
The Winery produces four distinct ranges reflecting entirely separate styles and vineyard sites. The heart of the wine-making team has created wines together in South Africa since 1998.
The wines:
Radford Dale wines are made in limited quantities to exacting standards. The range comprises Chardonnay, Merlot, Shiraz and the flagship Gravity (a Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot blend). All Stellenbosch wines of origin from vineyards on the slopes of the Helderberg and Devon Valley they retail from R85 to R200.
Black Rock, launched onto the market in April 2005, made in the Swartland from grapes grown in predominantly dryland, bushvines on the slopes of the Perdeberg. A red blend of Shiraz, Carignan, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Viognier and a white blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay & Viognier make up this very focused and individual range. Retailing at R85 – R95.Vinum combines quality and individualism to produce excellent value varietal wines from Stellenbosch – focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon and old bush vine Chenin Blanc. The wines retail from R49 to R65. The Winery of Good Hope is an unpretentious, yet stylish and quality-driven range. The wines express vitality and drinkability and are from grapes grown in areas from Stellenbosch to Elgin through to the Breede River. The range comprises Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot and Pinot Noir. The wines generally retail from R29 to R39.
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