Melvyn Minnaar
Together with vineyard virtuosos like Gyles Webb of Thelema, Beyers Truter of Kanonkop and Norma Ratcliff of Warwick, a new generation of winemakers is gaining more and more attention.
At Stellenzicht, originally almost a second label to Neethlingshof, a confident and sometime controversial Andr van Rensburg is making wines for a new era. A brilliant shiraz – which he rather fancifully labels “Syrah” in the United States style – is among his connoisseur wine statements. The 1996 won a double-gold Veritas – as did his 1994 cabernet sauvignon and 1995 merlot.
Husband and wife team Gary and Kathy Jordan has made a string of Wine four-star chardonnays and now has an exciting chenin blanc with some wood.
Francois Naud was a pharmacist before making top-class wine – such as a double- gold Veritas pinotage – at L’Avenir. The 1996 also featured among the recently named Top Ten pinotages. Don’t miss his 1997 chenin blanc.
Welgemeend was the first estate to make a “Bordeaux blend” and Louise Hofmeyr is paying contemporary homage to her father with her fine wines.
At Steenberg, newly established in Constantia, Nicky Versfeld has just produced a brilliant 1997 sauvignon blanc, and the reds to come look equally great.
Abrie Bruwer has turned the Robertson estate Springfield into a hive of experimental activity, which has produced some delicious sauvignon blancs. He is a man to watch.
These winemakers are but a few of those who are taking up the new-era challenge of exciting different South African wine. Soon they’ll also be in the big league.