WeeklySA_AdminCONTINUITY: Three decades of illustrious winemaking reward the Stellenbosch estate with a bountiful supply of gems…
By Len Maseko
Placing the soil as the sacred centrepiece of its winemaking efforts has endowed Spier wines with a richness and character that ultimately distinguishes them from other magnificent offerings produced in the Cape winelands.
Behind this distinction is Spier’s commitment to respecting nature through its regenerative farming philosophy that permeats every inch of activity on their farm – from the vineyard to the cellar, translating into the singular essence of their wines.
One of the oldest farms, dating back to 1692, Spier landed in 1993 on the hands of the Enthoven family, who immediately inculcated among the winemaking team the spirit of honouring the past of the farm while embracing the future with equal passion.
Similarly, this ethos underpins its statement of intent, which holds: “We roll up our sleeves every day to nurture our land, craft award-winning wines, champion South African art and grow wholesome food. It’s about being hands-on in every aspect of our business, from our vineyards to our community”.
Since then, Spier has reaped what it has sowed with energy, toil and dedication – in abundance. Proof being the innumerable trophies and other accolades scooped by its winemaking team over the years. Thanks to the steady hand of the owners and cellarmaster Frans Smit, who have steered the estate’s fortunes during its formative years in the 1990s to its current future, including maintaining a clear vision and firm stewardship.
With every endeavour, change is inevitable and embracing it ensures that a business is able to navigate its constancy beyond the plateaus that tend to punctuate success leading to complacency. Thankfully, Spier seemed to have all figured out with a succession plan in hand. Which may well have informedthe ushering of Smit’s passing of the baton to his protégé and current cellarmaster, Johan Jordaan, a few years ago – a changeover that has been anything but seamless and ensured continuity.
For his part, the affable Jordaan seized his newest challenge with as much vigour and single-minded purposefulness as with adroitness to build on Smit’s inimitable success, putting his own stamp in his maiden vintages.
Already, his tenure has yielded great signs of things to come – that is, if the string of recently garnered accolades are anything to go by.
This year, accolades have come in droves, validating Spier’s winemaking ethos, all from no less an authoritative wine critic as Brit Tim Atkin. In his annual South Africa Special Report, much anticipated yearly and vaunted as something of South African wine industry’s Oscars, Atkin awarded seven of Spier wines with 90+ scores with the Bordeaux-styled flagship Frans K Smit Red Blend 2018 leading the in-house pack with 93 points in September.
Top of the pops was Spier’s Frans K Smit range, which represents the crème de la crème of Spier’s loot. This wine showcases the potential of Stellenbosch terroir and the estate’s meticulous approach in both vineyard and cellar.
Other star winners from the stable included 21 Gables range – a nod to Spier’s unstinting regard for the rich Cape heritage; the 2022 Old Vine Project Chenin Blanc (92 points; the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon (91 points); and Pinotage (90 points).
Capping Spier’s triumphant foray was the Creative Block range, from its innovative trove of blends. Both the 2023 Creative Block 2 and 2021 Creative Block 5 (91 points each) showcase the creativity and balance Jordaan and his team strive for in their winemaking.
Of the feat, Jordaan gushed: “Tim Atkin has set the bar high when it comes to South African wine, giving local producers a much-valued platform to be recognised on the global stage. To me, these latest scores prove that our commitment to regenerative farming practices and crafting terroir-expressive wine is worth the good work the entire team puts in.”
Another the cherry on top of all Spier’s scoop of gems has always been none other than their cherished Chenin Blanc, which this year was ranked among best in the world. The farm achieved the rare feat of bagging two Master medals for its Chenin Blanc in a single blind tasting, at The Global Chenin Blanc Masters 2024 – among just five handed out at the competition.
The two Master medals recognised 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2022 and Good Natured Chenin Blanc 2023. Spier’s third wine in the competition, Spier Seaward Chenin Blanc 2023, secured a Silver medal.
“It’s wonderful to see our passion for Chenin Blanc and our belief in its potential resonating with wine lovers and critics,” said Jordaan recently, reacting to the win.
Meanwhile, Jordaan and his team comprising – among others – marketing executive Rowan Williams shared in Spier’s recent successes with a coterie of Joburgers at an exclusive luncheon hosted at Food I Love You Kitchen at Constitutional Hill in Braamfontein.
For the experience, Jordaan curated a batch of Spier’s prize-winning gems to savour with dishes inspired by Mediterranean, Middle-Eastern and African influences. Needless to say, result was an ode to a marriage of two mutually reinforcing craftsmanship behind Spier wines and mouthwatering dishes prepared by chef Mpho Phalane, who has turned the kitchen of the old Johannesburg Fort prison into a joyful sconce that pays regard to South Africa’s rich gastronomic culture.
Yet, through all the fanfare and glory that comes with successful vinous exploits, the self-effacing Jordaan characteristically shuns the pedestal and naturally defers acclaim to the collective efforts of his winemaking team – and much less to himself. A noble mark of true leadership.
EVENTS
CAPE FINE BRANDY AUCTION
The South African Brandy Foundation is curently hosting the Cape Fine Brandy Auction since November 6 until this coming Monday, presenting a remarkable collection of rare and fine spirits handpicked from the country’s top distilleries. The auction showcases an impressive array of bespoke, single-cask brandies—some aged for over two decades—each offering fewer than 300 bottles. These limited-edition casks come from some of South Africa’s most renowned producers, including Boplaas, Kaapzicht, KWV, Joseph Barry, Sydney Back, and Van Ryn’s. With lots of varying sizes, the auction provides both trade buyers and private collectors an opportunity to acquire these unique and highly sought-after bottles. The auction closes on Monday, 18 November 2024 at 6pm. To explore the full auction catalogue and view producer videos, please visit: https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/videos/346-18-nov-2024. For further details on the auction, visit: www.straussart.co.za and for more information on the South African Brandy Foundation, visit www.sabrandy.co.za.
STEENBERG GARDEN PARTY
Steenberg Vineyards brings the annual Steenberg Garden Party to be hosted at the beautiful Beechwood Gardens in Sandton on November 16.
Guests will enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the venue’s sprawling gardens, whilst tasting Steenberg wines paired with delectable treats from the harvest table. Live music, ample seating and lounge areas will keep everyone entertained and relaxed for the duration of the afternoon. The day is all about fine wines, relaxation, rejuvenation and breezy life.
Ticket prices cost R850 per person via Quicket, and include wine tastings, decadent harvest table, entertainment, gift and a branded Steenberg glass to take home. Beechwood Gardens, 25 Christopherson Street, Sandton. The Beechwood Gardens is situated on 25 Christopherson Street. The event will start at 2pm.
Cullinan Summer Wine Fest
The 2nd Cullinan Summer Wine Festival will take place at the Premiermyn Hervormde Kerk grounds in Cullinan in Gauteng on November 30.
During the event, estates from all over the Western Cape will gather to showcase their top wines. Being summer, one can look forward to some interesting white wines, Rose, sparkling wines and Champagne as well as a variety of liqueurs, whisky, brandy and gin.
The festival incorporates a crafts market with stalls selling arts and crafts and handmade accessories as well as sumptuous food.
Tickets to this event include a wine glass and unlimited tasting from 10h00 to 17h00, as well as live performances by Scheppel, Fanus Pienaar & AJ DeVos. Tickets cost R100.
P ‘n P Virtual Tasting
Pick n Pay is hosting the Winemakers Table Virtual Tasting in association with De Grendel wine estate on December 5.
The evening, which starts at 6pm, will involve the pairing of the estate’s wines with delicious canapés supplied by the retail supermarket chain to the homes of wine lovers who purchase tickets via Webtickets, costing R650 and R960.
The ticket entitles the holder to a pairing pack which consists of: • Three bottles of wine: De Grendel Proposal Hill Brut Rosé 750ml; De Grendel Sauvignon Blanc 750ml and De Grendel Merlot 750ml • All the ingredients for the canapés, which include a mature cheddar cracker with whipped feta, spiced pickled beetroot, crispy capers and a berry coulis; a flower and nut encrusted goat’s cheese ball with confit lime jam and fresh crispy apple on melba toast; a buttery brioche toastie with caramelised mushroom and star anise ketchup, pickled shimeji mushrooms, truffle aioli and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Delivery of the pairing packs will only be made within 50kms of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.. – Compiled by Len Maseko
