Tag Archives: Stellenbosch

Winery Spotlight Series: May 2024

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Thelema Mountain Vineyards lightThelema Wine bottlesWinery Spotlight Wine Tasting
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Stellenbosch, South Africa

May 2024

Join us for a wine tasting event featuring Thelema Mountain Vineyards Wines from South Africa! We will be sharing the seven wines below; to reserve a spot and attend the wine tasting, please contact your local participating WineStyles store, or reserve your tickets on Eventbrite.

Wines Tasted:

  1. Thelema Mountain White
  2. Thelema Chardonnay
  3. Thelema Mountain Red
  4. Thelema Shiraz
  5. Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon
  6. Thelema Rabelais
  7. Thelema ‘Vin de Hel’ Muscat Late Harvest
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards

About Thelema Mountain Vineyards:
After leaving his accounting career to become a winemaker Gyles Webb and the McLeans, his in-laws, purchased Thelema in 1983. The manor house was restored and the first wines under the Thelema label were released in 1988. By the mid 1990’s, their wines sold out within a month of release, making it one of the most sought-after wine estates in South Africa. The Webb family describe Thelema as “one of the most beautiful places on earth”.  Situated on the southeastern side of the Simonsberg Mountain, with elevations 1739 feet above sea level and mainly south-facing slopes, Thelema Mountain Vineyards possesses some of the highest elevations in Stellenbosch, South Africa. These high altitudes and the rich red soils are ideal for premium quality wine grape production. The Webb family believes grape quality is the single most important factor in serious winemaking; their policy is one of minimum interference, allowing the wines to be a true expression of each vineyard.

Thelema Mountain Vineyards lightThelema Mountain Vineyards’ crest showcases a phoenix. This sacred phoenix appears in ancient Arabian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese and Indian mythology, but it also symbolizes the birth of Thelema since it is present on both sides of the families. The McLeans owned the Phoenix Garden Hotel in Kimberley, and there is a phoenix on the Webb family crest. To learn more about the family winery and their history, click here.

© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards

Photos and Information © Thelema Mountain Vineyards – All Rights Reserved.

Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together! 
Contact your local participating WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.
Winery Spotlight Wine Tasting
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
May 2024
Cheers!
WineStyles.com

July Premium Wine Club

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Bold wine Style logoThelema-Cabernet-Sauvignon-bottleThelema Mountain Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Stellenbosch, South Africa

BOLD WINE STYLE

Complex and stylish, with aromas of blackcurrant leaf and coffee bean which progresses into a palate that’s structured and racy with hints of leather, dark chocolate and sweet blackberry. The firm tannins yield and gripping mouthfeel from the first sip through to the long lingering finish.

WINE DETAILS:

  • Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
  • Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
  • pH: 3.66
  • Residual Sugar: 1.6 g/L
  • Total Acidity: 5.6 g/L
  • Food Pairing: A butterflied leg of lamb or lamb steak with rosemary and potato dauphinoise on the side

VITICULTURAL PRACTICES:

  • Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon – clone 46C, 169A and 338C
  • Root stock: 101-14, R110 & R99
  • Soil type: Hutton – decomposed granite
  • Age of vines: Planted 2002, 2003 & 2008
  • Plant density: 2000-2300 vines per hectare
  • Trellising: Vertical hedge
  • Pruning: 2-bud spurs every 15cm
  • Yield: 10.4 tons per hectare
  • Irrigation: Supplementary drip
  • Vintage: Cool weather conditions constituted smaller more concentrated berries, leading to wines with great natural acidity and flavor
  • Picking date: 19 February – 28 February, 2029
  • Grape sugar: 24.7-25.2ºB
  • Acidity: 5.74 – 6.84 g/l
  • pH at harvest: 3.53-3.7

WINEMAKING PRACTICES: 

  • Yeasts: Alchemy 3 / X-Pure
  • Method: The grapes were gently de-stemmed, retaining as many whole berries as possible, before passing over an additional vibrating table to remove all MOG (matter other than grapes), after which a displacement pump takes the fruit to its fermentation tank. The tanks are then inoculated with a specific commercial yeast strain, this way insuring the development of the perfect flavor profile. Fermentation is done in stainless steel fermenters, and a combination of aerated pump overs and punch down techniques are used to ensure optimal color, tannin and flavor extraction. Once fermentation is complete, the wine is drained off the skins and moved to a holding tank to be barreled down. Malolactic fermentation takes place in the barrels. The wines are aged gracefully in place for 18 months, with 25% new French oak barrels and received only one racking during this period. After tasting through all the individual lots, the winemaking team decides on the final blend, the barrels are emptied into the tank farm and the wines are prepared for bottling.
  • Mood Maturation: 18 months in barrel, 30% new French oak, balance in older barrels

Bold wine Style logoThelema-The-Abbey-bottleThelema Mountain Vineyards
The Abbey 2019
Stellenbosch, South Africa

BOLD WINE STYLE

The name Thelema comes from a tale written by 16th Century French writer Francois Rabelais, who writes about beautiful Abbey, Thélème, where there is but one rule – ‘do what thou wilt’. This blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Petit Verdot pays homage to the spirit of the Abbey and to the author who gave them their name.

WINE DETAILS:

  • Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
  • Varietal: 70% Shiraz, 15% Grenache and 15% Petit Verdot
  • pH: 3.62
  • Residual Sugar: 2.0 g/L
  • Total Acidity: 5.2 g/L
  • Food Pairing: Rich hearty stews, roasts and grilled meats

VITICULTURAL PRACTICES:

  • Varietal: Shiraz – Clone Sh1A / Grenache – Clone GN 70N / Petit Verdot – Clone PR 400D
  • Root stock: 101-14 & R99
  • Soil type: Hutton – decomposed granite
  • Age of vines: Planted 2003 to 2006
  • Plant density: 3000, 1996 and 2022 vines per hectare respectively
  • Trellising: Vertical hedge
  • Pruning: 2-bud spurs every 12cm
  • Yield: 8.5 tons per hectare (Shiraz), 11 tons/ha (Grenache), 13 tons/ha (PV)
  • Irrigation: Supplementary drip
  • Vintage: Cool weather conditions constituted smaller more concentrated berries, leading to wines with great natural acidity and flavor
  • Picking date: 15 March 2019 (Shiraz), 20 February 2019 (Grenache), 20 March 2019 (PV)
  • Grape sugar: 25.2ºB (Shiraz), 25.0ºB (Grenache), 24.8ºB (PV)
  • Acidity: 5.12 g/L (Shiraz), 6.19 (Grenache), 5.73 g/L (PV) 
  • pH at harvest: 3.6 (Shiraz), 3.33 (Grenache), 3.57 (PV)

WINEMAKING PRACTICES: 

  • Yeasts: Alchemy4
  • Fermentation temp: 80.6ºF
  • Method: De-stalked, hand sorted, crushed, pumped into stainless steel fermentation tanks, cold soak for two days, and pumped over once a day for 5 days. After fermentation, the wine is left on the skins for 2 days before pressing, once pressed, wine is racked to barrel for malolactic fermentation.
  • Mood Maturation: 18 months in 2nd & 3rd fill 225 L French oak barrels

ABOUT THELEMA MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS:
After leaving his accounting career to become a winemaker Gyles Webb and the McLeans, his in-laws, purchased Thelema in 1983. The manor house was restored and the first wines under the Thelema label were released in 1988. By the mid 1990’s, their wines sold out within a month of release, making it one of the most sought-after wine estates in South Africa. The Webb family describe Thelema as “one of the most beautiful places on earth”. Situated on the southeastern side of the Simonsberg Mountain, with elevations 1739 feet above sea level and mainly south-facing slopes, Thelema Mountain Vineyards possesses some of the highest elevations in Stellenbosch, South Africa. These high altitudes and the rich red soils are ideal for premium quality wine grape production. The Webb family believes grape quality is the single most important factor in serious winemaking; their policy is one of minimum interference, allowing the wines to be a true expression of each vineyard. Learn more about the winery here.

Information, Photos & Video © Thelema Mountain Vineyards – All Rights Reserved.

Wine club logoJoin our PREMIUM WINE CLUB, enjoy amazing wines every other month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!

Learn more about our Premium Club >

 
 
 

 

Thelema Mountain Red

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Grilled BBQ Chicken PizzaGrilled BBQ Chicken Pizza

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 pound pizza dough raw
  • all-purpose flour for dusting dough
  • olive oil for brushing on grill and pizza
  • ½ cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 ¼ cups mozzarella shredded
  • ½ cup smoked gouda shredded
  • ⅓ cup roma tomato, ¼-inch thick slice
  • ⅓ cup green bell peppers, ¼-inch thick slice
  • ⅓ cup red onions, ¼-inch thick slice
  • ½ cup corn fresh, canned or defrosted frozen
  • 2 slices bacon cooked, diced
  • 1 cup cooked chicken breast ¼-inch thick slice
  • ¼ cup green onions thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS:

  1. On a floured piece of parchment paper in a baking sheet pan, stretch or roll out the dough to about 12 inches in diameter.
  2. Make sure the bottom of the dough is floured and not sticking to the paper.
  3. Preheat barbecue grill to have all burners on medium-high heat, or direct heat if you are using charcoal, try to target 550°F (287°C).
  4. Clean the grill, then use a folded piece of paper towel to carefully grease the grill grates with a small amount of olive oil to help prevent sticking.
  5. Brush the top of the dough with olive oil.
  6. Use the parchment paper to transfer the dough oiled-side down onto the grill, work quickly to stretch the pizza dough into a circle before it sets on the grill.
  7. Cover the grill for 2 minutes, open and check if the bottom of the pizza crust has browned and no longer sticks, the dough may look bubbly. 
  8. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes uncovered if needed.
  9. Turn all of the burners heat down to medium-low.
  10. Flip the dough over and work quickly to add the BBQ sauce, mozzarella, smoked Gouda, tomato, bell pepper, onion, corn, bacon and cooked chicken.
  11. Cover and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  12. Check the bottom of the crust halfway through to make sure it doesn’t burn too much. 
  13. Top pizza with sliced green onions and more barbecue sauce if desired.
  14. Transfer pizza to a cutting board and cut into 8 slices, serve immediately.

© Recipe courtesy of Jessica Gavin.

JULY WINE CLUB:

Mellow style logoThelema mountain red wine bottleThelema Mountain Vineyards
Mountain Red
Stellenbosch, South Africa

MELLOW WINE STYLE

This wine shows inviting aromas of juicy black fruit, mulberries, plums and hints of warm spice. After spending 18 months in barrel, the palate is soft and juicy with well rounded tannins and a long, delicious finish.

WINE DETAILS:

  • Varietal: 58% Shiraz, 22% Grenache, 20% Petit Verdot
  • Analysis: 14% alcohol / volume
  • Residual Sugar: 2.2 g/l
  • pH: 3.51
  • Total Acid: 5.4 g/l
  • Food Pairing: Particularly good with light and medium flavored meals, such as pizza or braai (barbecue)

VITICULTURAL PRACTICES:

  • Rootstock: 101-14, R99
  • Soil Type: Tukulu / Glenrosa
  • Age of Vines: Planted 2004-2006
  • Trellising: Vertical Hedge
  • Pruning: 2-bud spurs
  • Yield: 11.8 tons per hectar
  • Irrigation: Supplementary drip
  • Vintage: Cool weather conditions constituted smaller more concentrated berries, leading to wines with great natural acidity and flavor
  • Grape Sugar: 23.8-25.1ºBalling
  • Acidity: 5.48 g/l – 7.18 g/l
  • pH at Harvest: 3.45-3.48

WINEMAKING PRACTICES:

  • Yeasts: NT50 / Alchemy 3 / ICV Gre
  • Method: De-stalked, crushed, pumped into stainless steel tanks, with pump overs being done twice a day.
  • Wood Maturation: 18 months in older French Oak barrels
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards

ABOUT THELEMA MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS:
Thelema Mountain Vineyards lightThelema Mountain Vineyards’ crest showcases a phoenix. This sacred phoenix appears in ancient Arabian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese and Indian mythology, but it also symbolizes the birth of Thelema as it is present on both sides of the Thelema family. The McLeans owned the Phoenix Garden Hotel in Kimberley, and there is a phoenix on the Webb family crest. To learn more about the family winery and their history, click here.

Information and Photos © Thelema Mountain Vineyards – All Rights Reserved.

Wine club logoJoin our WINE CLUB and enjoy these amazing wines and pairing recipes each month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!

Learn More >

 
 
 

 

Thelema Mountain White

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Grilled OystersGrilled Oysters with White Wine Butter Sauce

INGREDIENTS:

  • 12 shucked Atlantic or Pacific oysters

White Wine Compound Butter:

  • 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 clove garlic, finely grated (try a microplane grater to finely grate the garlic so there are no chunks)
  • 1 tablespoon dry white wine
  • 1 tablespoon diced chives
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ tablespoon finely diced parsley

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat the grill and prepare for direct grilling with lump charcoal. Target the temperature in the grill at 500ºF.
  2. For the Compound Butter: Combine all ingredients in small bowl with a fork. Use 1 heaping teaspoon of compound butter per oyster. Reserve some to add more after they come off the grill.
  3. Layer slightly crumbled aluminum foil onto a sheet pan. Place shucked oysters onto sheet pan and gently press down so the oysters sit well on the pan.
  4. Place one heaping teaspoon of the butter into each oyster.
  5. Place gently over direct heat and grill for 4 – 6 minutes. The butter will bubble and remove when you start to see the edges of the oyster flesh slightly brown. Remove with high heat gloves or tongs. However, tongs can be difficult with the edges of oysters causing the liquid to fall out.
  6. Serve warm in the half shell over a plate that has been layered with coarse salt.

© Recipe courtesy of Vindulge.

JULY WINE CLUB:

Crisp Wine StyleThelema-Mountain-White-bottleThelema Mountain Vineyards
Mountain White
Stellenbosch, South Africa

CRISP WINE STYLE

This vibrant aromatic wine exhibits beautiful passionfruit and gooseberry aromas which merge with hints of apricot and melon on the nose. The palate is medium bodied with a crisp clean finish. The Sauvignon Blanc provides fresh, natural acidity, while the Viognier adds palate weight, layers of complexity and depth to the wine.

WINE DETAILS:

  • Varietals: 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Viognier
  • Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
  • Residual Sugar: 1.4 g/l
  • pH: 3.22
  • Total Acid: 6.7 g/l
  • Food Pairing: Cheeses, oysters or delicate fish like sole

VITICULTURAL PRACTICES:

  • Root stock: 101-14
  • Soil type: Tukulu / Glenrosa
  • Age of vines: Planted 2005, 2006
  • Plant density: 2500 vines/ha
  • Trellising: 7 wire Perold with moveable foliage wires
  • Pruning: Spur
  • Irrigation: Supplementary drip
  • Grape sugar: 22.5ºB
  • Acidity: 7.6 g/l
  • pH at harvest: 3.24

WINEMAKING PRACTICES:

  • Yeasts: Vin7 / QA23
  • Fermentation temp: 57.2ºF
  • Method: The grapes were gently de-stemmed, pumped through our mash cooler, (Glycol set at 41°F) to cool the fruit down, received a dose of pectolytic enzymes, as well as a small amount of SO2 to aid in the juice clarification process, prevent oxidation, and spontaneous fermentations. Once the press is full the cycle is started, and the juice is moved to a holding tank. Clarification takes place via floatation in the late afternoon and the juice is moved to its fermentation tanks early the following morning. They inoculate with a commercial yeast strain, the ferment runs at 57.2°F, to maintain a progressive yet stable fermentation curve. The wines are left on their gross lees for 5 months after which the winery team will rack them and add a light fining to clean them up a bit for evaluation. After tasting, their winemaking team decides on the final blend, the blend is made and the wine is prepared for bottling.
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards

ABOUT THELEMA MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS:
The name Thelema comes from the monk, François Rabelais, a doctor and writer in sixteenth-century France who imagined a utopian abbey on the banks of the Loire. Contrasting to the religious orders of his day, this community admitted both men and women, and encouraged them to live together in great luxury. Only one law governed its members: “Fay ce que couldras” – “Do what thou wilt!”. This was the Abbey of Thélème. Here, Rabelais spent a lot of his time thinking and writing about wine. Some of his most memorable quotes being, “Wine is the most civilized thing on earth”, and “Never did a great man hate good wine”. Thus, the name of the vineyard on the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain. Learn more about the winery history here.

Information © Thelema Mountain Vineyards – All Rights Reserved.

Wine club logoJoin our WINE CLUB and enjoy these amazing wines and pairing recipes each month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!

Learn about our Memberships >

 
 
 

 

July Wine Club Pairing Recipe

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Smash Burger PhotoSmoked Gouda Smash Burgers

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 4 to 6 ounces smoked gouda cheese thinly sliced
  • buns for serving
  • lettuce tomato, red onion (whatever else you like)

(For the House Sauce):

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon your favorite BBQ sauce

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Separate the ground beef into equal portions – most most likely 4 or 6 equal parts. Form into balls so they smash into a more circular burger, but it’s not necessary.
  2. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. You want it to be hot, so heat it for a few minutes.
  3. Once it’s hot and your burgers are ready to go, quickly brush the skillet with oil and place half of the butter on the skillet. It will smoke, so work quickly. Place one of the balls of beef on the skillet and smash it down with a spatula once or twice. You want it to be about ½ inch in thickness (or a little less if you wish) and want to try and smash it only 2 or 3 times. Season it with salt and pepper and repeat with the rest of the beef. Cook them for 2 to 3 minutes and then flip, season with salt on the other side and cook for 2 minutes more. Add the cheese and let it melt.
  4. Remove the burgers with a spatula and serve immediately with the house sauce, on buns, with lettuce, tomato and onion if you wish.
  5. (For the House Sauce): Whisk all ingredients together until creamy and smooth and combined. Serve for dipping or as a sauce on burgers and sandwiches.

© Recipe courtesy of How Sweet Eats.

JULY WINE CLUB:

Bold wine Style logoThelema-Shiraz-bottleThelema Mountain Vineyards
Shiraz
Stellenbosch, South Africa

BOLD WINE STYLE

Aromatic and inviting, this flavorful Shiraz shows a spicy white pepper undertone with cassis and dark red fruit aromas of mulberries. It is characterized by versatility, demonstrating a smooth, soft palate with a savory finish.

WINE DETAILS:

  • Varietal: Shiraz
  • Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
  • pH: 3.48
  • Residual Sugar: 2.1 g/L
  • Total Acid: 5.5 g/L
  • Food Pairing: Grilled meats, meaty casseroles and mature cheeses

VITICULTURAL PRACTICES:

  • Varietal: Shiraz, clone SH99/SH9C/SH1A
  • Root stock: 101-14, R110
  • Soil type: Hutton – decomposed granite
  • Age of vines: Planted 2000 & 2001
  • Plant density: 2300-3200 vines per hectare
  • Trellising: VSP & Guyot
  • Pruning: 2-bud spurs every 12cm & cane pruning
  • Yield: Approximately 11.2 t/ha
  • Irrigation: Supplementary drip
  • Vintage: A warm, dry vintage with a late start, resulted in smaller tonnage but yielding balanced, well structured wines with lovely intensity
  • Grape sugar: 23.2-24.2 *B
  • Acidity: 5.0 g/l
  • pH at harvest: 3.4-3.5

WINEMAKING PRACTICES: 

  • Yeasts: Enoferm Syrah
  • Fermentation temp: 78.8-80.6ºF
  • Method: The grapes were gently de-stemmed, retaining as many whole berries as possible, before passing over an additional vibrating table to remove all MOG (matter other than grapes), after which a displacement pump takes the fruit to its fermentation tank. The tanks are then inoculated with a specific commercial yeast strain, this way insuring the development of the perfect flavor profile. Fermentation is done in stainless steel fermenters, and combination of aerated pump overs and punch down techniques are used to ensure optimal color, tannin and flavor extraction. Once fermentation is complete, the wine is drained off the skins and moved to a holding tank to be barreled down. Malolactic fermentation takes place in the barrels.
  • Mood Maturation: 18 months in barrel, 30% new French and the balance in older barrels
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards
© Thelema Mountain Vineyards

ABOUT THELEMA MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS:
After leaving his accounting career to become a winemaker, Gyles Webb, and the help of his wife’s family, the McLean’s, purchased Thelema in 1983. The manor house was restored and the first wines under the Thelema label were released in 1988. By the mid 90’s, their wines sold out within a month of release, making it one of the most sought-after wine estates in South Africa. The Webb family describe Thelema as “one of the most beautiful places on earth”. Situated on the Southeastern side of the Simonsberg Mountain, with elevations 1739 feet above sea level and mainly south-facing slopes, Thelema Mountain Vineyards possesses some of the highest elevations in Stellenbosch, South Africa. These high altitudes and the rich red soils are ideal for premium quality wine grape production. The Webb family believes grape quality is the single most important factor in serious winemaking; their policy is one of minimum interference, allowing the wines to be a true expression of each vineyard. Learn more about the winery here.

Information, Photos & Video © Thelema Mountain Vineyards – All Rights Reserved.

Wine club logoJoin our WINE CLUB and enjoy these amazing wines and pairing recipes each month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!

Learn about our Memberships >

 
 
 

 

Winery Spotlight: Remhoogte February 23rd

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Remhoogte-Logo

Remhoogte Wine Estate
Stellenbosch, South Africa

Wednesday, February 23, 2022
6:00pm CST / 7:00pm EST

Join us for a wine tasting event, featuring Remhootge Wine Estate, a family winery in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Brothers Chris and Rob Boustred will be our guest speakers, tasting through 7 of their amazing wines from their winery in South Africa on the big screen.
 

Wines Tasted:

  • First Light Chenin Blanc
  • Honeybunch Reserve Chenin Blanc
  • Free to be Riesling
  • Soaring Eagle Blend
  • Chronicle Cape Blend
  • Vantage Pinotage
  • Sir Thomas Cullinan Reserve

To reserve a table and attend the wine tasting in person, please call your local participating WineStyles store. Or, if you prefer to attend remotely, pre-order a wine tasting kit to-go and watch/taste along with us on Zoom!

Remhootge_wines_email-header

About Remhoogte Wine Estate:

Remhoogte Wine Estate is a family winery, run by brothers Chris and Rob alongside their father Murray Boustred, with vineyards located in foothills of the Simonsberg mountain in Stellenbosh, South Africa. Learn more about their winery here.

“We believe wine is made in the vineyards, and our goal is to allow the vineyards to express themselves by interfering as little as possible. As a result we have adopted a minimalist approach in both the vineyards and the cellar. We are also proud members of the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative, and of the Integrated Production of Wine Scheme. We have set aside 30% of the estate and dedicated it to the Western Capes indigenous flora and fauna.” – Chris Boustred, winemaker.

© Photo by Remhoogte Wine Estate
© Photo by Remhoogte Wine Estate
© Photo by Remhoogte Wine Estate
© Photo by Remhoogte Wine Estate
© Photo by Remhoogte Wine Estate
© Photo by Remhoogte Wine Estate
© Photo by Remhoogte Wine Estate
Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together!
Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.
Winery Spotlight with Remhoogte Wine Estate
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
6:00pm CST/ 7:00pm EST
Cheers!
WineStyles.com

 

Raised by Wolves Old School Red Blend

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Pizza

Photo Credit: Copyright Anson Smart

Pizza Vesuvio with the Works

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1/2 cup frozen artichoke hearts, thawed, sliced
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 pound pizza dough, thawed if frozen
  • All-purpose flour, for dusting
  • 1/2 cup fresh ricotta (4 ounces)
  • 3/4 pound fresh mozzarella, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 ounces thinly sliced baked ham, cut into 1-inch strips
  • 2 ounces salami, cut into 1-inch strips
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons marinara sauce
  • 2 large cremini mushrooms, sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 4 pitted olives, sliced 1/4 inch thick

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Set a pizza stone in the oven and preheat the oven to 500°. Let the stone heat for 30 minutes. In a bowl, lightly drizzle the artichoke hearts with oil. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. On a floured work surface, roll or stretch the pizza dough out to a 12-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick. Roll the edge on half of the pizza 1/16 inch thick. Generously flour a pizza peel. Transfer the dough to the peel and lightly brush with oil. Top the thinner side of the dough with half of the artichokes, mozzarella, ricotta, ham and salami, 3 inches from the edge. Sprinkle with half of the oregano and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the marinara. Lift the 3-inch edge of dough over the filling and press to seal in the center of the round.
  3. Spread the remaining 1/4 cup of marinara over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Arrange the remaining artichoke hearts, mozzarella, ham and salami over the marinara. Spoon small dollops of ricotta over the toppings, then scatter the mushrooms and olives on top. Sprinkle with the remaining oregano.
  4. Slide the pizza onto the hot stone and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until crisp and bubbling. Cut into wedges and serve.

© Recipe courtesy of Francis Ford Coppola from Food & Wine.

JANUARY WINE CLUB:

Bold wine Style logoRaised by Wolves Cinsaut Cabernet SauvignonRaised by Wolves
Old School
Cinsaut Cabernet Sauvignon
Stellenbosch, South Africa

BOLD WINE STYLE

Having enjoyed many old South African Cabernet Sauvignons from the 1960’s and 1970’s, Adam Mason was enthralled to discover that many of these old gems contained far greater percentages of Cinsaut than Cabernet Sauvignon, reflecting the actual plantings of both varieties at the time. Using possibly the oldest producing Cinsaut vineyard in Stellenbosch (planted in 1965) and Bonniemile Cabernet planted in the 1980’s, Adam attempted to pay homage to this uniquely South African story. Vinification of both varieties was carried out in separate concrete ‘kuipe’ before transferring to barrels for 18 months maturation.

Appellation: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Varietal: 2/3 Rustenhof Cinsaut, 1/3 Bonniemile Cabernet Sauvignon
Analysis: 12.81% alcohol / volume
Residual Sugar: 1.8 g/L
VA: 0.79 g/L
pH: 3.66
TA: 5.3 g/L
SO₂: 5/65 ppm
Bottled: 10/18/2019
Growers:

  • Rustenhof: Pieter Bredell
  • Bonniemile: Deon Joubert

Raised by WolvesABOUT RAISED BY WOLVES:
Raised by Wolves offers exceptional wines with excellent values. Made as a project by Wine Industry Specialist, Adam Mason, Adam says the name is a parody of the constant one-upmanship between winemakers. He mocks other winemakers’ statements of ‘my wine is single vineyard!’, or ‘Yeah, well my wine is naturally fermented…’, and ‘Oh yeah, well my wine is hand sorted by berry.’, by saying “My wines are all of the above, and I was raised by wolves.” – Adam Mason. Adam’s wines are produced in limited quantities, and are made from a selection of unique vineyards from his travels around the Cape, showcasing how interesting and rare the Cape’s vineyards can be. 

 

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January Wine Club Pairing Recipe

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Filet MignonPan-Seared Filet Mignon

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 (10 ounce) thick tenderloin beef fillets (roughly 2 inches thick)
  • 2–3 tablespoons butter
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Garlic & Herb Butter
    • ½ stick of butter
    • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
    • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
    • ½ tablespoon minced garlic

DIRECTIONS:

  • FOR THE HERB BUTTER:
    • Soften the butter in a microwave safe bowl until malleable, 10-15 seconds. Stir in herbs and garlic until fully mixed. Spoon the butter onto tin foil doing your best to reshape it to resemble a stick of butter. Place in refrigerator for about 10 minutes and remove 5 minutes before adding to the filet.
  • FOR THE FILLETS:
    • Preheat the oven to 415° F. Remove steak from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking, this is to bring the steak to room temperature and ensure your cooking times are more accurate. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
    • Add the plain butter to an oven safe cast iron skillet and turn up high, allow the skillet to become scorching hot first. Place the fillets face down and sear undisturbed for 2 minutes. Flip the fillets and sear for an additional 2 minutes. This will give your fillets a nice seared edge.
    • Transfer your skillet directly to the oven. [WARNING] skillet may be hot, handle with oven mitts. For rare, bake for 4 minutes. Medium rare, 5-6 minutes. Medium, 6-7 minutes. Medium well, 8-9 minutes. Remember, depending on the size of the steak, the more or less time it will take. This recipe is ideal for a 8-10 ounce portion, roughly 2-3 inches thick. Remove fillets from the skillet and set on a plate, lightly cover with tin foil and let sit for 5 minutes before serving. This is important to bring your steak to its final serving temperature. Top with a slice of garlic and herb butter and serve.

© Recipe courtesy of Shawn Williams from Kitchen Swagger.

JANUARY WINE CLUB:

Raised-By-Wolves-Bonniemile-Cabernet-Sauvignon-wine-bottleBold wine Style logoRaised by Wolves
Bonniemile Cabernet Sauvignon
Stellenbosch, South Africa

BOLD WINE STYLE

The Bonniemile road provides access to agricultural smallholdings just south of Stellenbosch off the Polkadraai road. Established in 1986, this block of Cabernet Sauvignon occupies 0.89 hectares of land, and is planted to just 3100 vines.

The soil is typical of the area, being rich in ironstone laterites overlaying a heavy clay bank. It’s great terrain for Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vinified in traditional open-topped concrete fermentation tanks and left on skins for 14 days before pressing off, it then matured in neutral 300L hogsheads for 18 months before bottling.

Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Analysis: 13.09% alcohol / volume
Residual Sugar: 1.7 g/L
VA: 0.64 g/L
pH: 3.74
TA: 5.3 g/L
SO₂: 6/49 ppm
Bottled: 10/19/2018
Grower: Deon Joubert
 
Raised by Wolves
ABOUT RAISED BY WOLVES:
Raised by Wolves is a project by Wine Industry Specialist, Adam Mason. Adam says the name came to mock the one-upmanship between winemakers, explaining his wines are all naturally fermented, single vineyard, and hand sorted but yet he was “raised by wolves”. His wines are produced in limited quantities, and are made from a selection of unique vineyards from his travels around the cape, showcasing how interesting and rare the Cape’s vineyards can be. Adam’s work with small batch, experimental wines has transformed the Cape into one of the more dynamic regions in the world. 
 

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May Premium Wine Club

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City-on-hill-red-blendCity on a Hill Wine Company
Red Blend
Swartland, South Africa

Bold wine Style logoBOLD WINE STYLE

The second of their “canvas wines” and the second vintage of this wine, City on a Hill Wine Co. used three varieties stretched across five vineyards. This wine remains the winery’s main focus in terms of red wine and this blend continues to grow in vineyards and varieties as they stretch their reach further across Swartland. The Red Blend has great structure, showing red and black fruit with their trademark Swartland fynbos and olive notes. Syrah dominates this blend followed by Tinta Barocca, and Cinsault.

Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
Varietals: Syrah, Tinta Barocca, and Cinsault
RS: 1.9 g/L
TA: 5.2 g/L
pH: 3.65
Fermentation: Native Yeasts – 75% whole bunch
Vessels: Old 500 liter oak barrels
Year of Planting: 1968-1990’s
Soil Type: Decomposed granite, schist, & clay
Cultivation: Bush vines & trellised vineyards

ABOUT CITY ON A HILL WINE CO.:
City on a Hill Wine Company was started with one goal in mind: to make wine with freedom to explore and engage the vast terroirs and people that make up this beautiful region. The team was drawn to the rustic traits of the Swartland in the South Western part of South Africa – a location where you will rarely find landscaped vineyards or shiny farm gates, but rather an unforgiving landscape and people of the soil. The climate is hot and dry, and the conditions are becoming very extreme to farm in. Herein lies the beauty of the Swartland: a mix of old dry-land bush vines planted by previous generations, complimented by younger plantings of newer and experimental varieties, planted by this generation for the generations to come. City on a Hill Wine Co. has grown their offering to six wines. A lot of effort goes in to ensure constant improvement in all areas of grape growing and vinification. This is a lifelong task and something that the next generation will benefit from. 

© Photo by City on a Hill Wine Co.

Last-of-the-First-WineFalse Bay Vineyards
Last of the First
Stellenbosch, South Africa

Bold wine Style logoBOLD WINE STYLE

Professor Perold’s creation, Pinotage, was propagated at Elsenburg College in 1935. In 1941 Myrtle Grove on the Schapenberg was chosen for the first commercial plantings. Today only one block remains on the Schapenberg — The Last of The First.

Completely different in style to inland Pinotage. The Last of The First is elegant, perfumed, graceful. It is luminescent dark cherry in color with earthy smells of lifted mulberry and damson plums. The taste is balanced with finely integrated tannins threading through from start to finish. It highlights morello cherry with a touch of earthiness. Drink now and over the next decade. Serve at 59ºF – pairs beautifully with duck.

Region: Schapenberg (W.O. Stellenbosch)
Varietal: Pinotage
Analysis: 13% alcohol / volume
RS: 1.5 g/L
TA: 4.9 g/L
Total SO2: 85 mg/l
Production: 1549 bottles

REGISTERED SINGLE VINEYARD:
A small and singular parcel of mature 1994 planted Bush Vine Pinotage measuring 1.3 hectares. This block is the last Pinotage grown on the ocean facing slopes of the Schapenberg, where the original commercial plantings of Pinotage took place. This rare little block is on a cooler, elevated south-facing slope, just 2.5 miles from False Bay. Due to the effect of incessant wind and the application of organic farming practices, the berry-size and yield is also tiny at just over 3 tons/ha or 20 hl/ha. The up-side, however, is healthy grapes with excellent balanced concentration. Good things really do come in small packages.

WINEMAKING:
Grapes are handpicked, sorted and fermented whole bunch with wild yeasts in a small open top oak fermenter, using regular, manual-punch downs during the fermentation process. The wine is left on the skins and stems for 31 days, then is pressed off in a basket press before being transferred to three old 600 liter barrels. Here, the wine goes through a maturation period of 16 months before bottling without fining with only the lightest of filtrations.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Named after South Africa’s most iconic bay, which frames much of the country’s premium wine-lands, False Bay Vineyards, was born from a desire to make ‘real’ wine affordable. It is a sister company to Waterkloof Winery. In 1994, well before Waterkloof was founded, Paul Boutinot came to the Western Cape to seek grapes from balanced, yet under-appreciated vineyards. These vineyards would soon be lost to large co-operative blends that were dominating South Africa’s wine industry at that time. Paul transformed these Cape gems into wines with minimum intervention – something unusual for the time. He chose to organically farm using wild yeast ferments and no acid additions. Today, ingredients remain the same using beautiful coastal fruit, old vines, wild yeasts and additions avoided. Learn more here.

© Photo by False Bay Vineyards

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Peacock Wild Fernet Chenin Blanc

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pad-thai-3

© Photo by Cooking Classy

Pad Thai (with Chicken or Shrimp)

INGREDIENTS:

  • 10 oz Thai Rice Noodles
  • 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into small strips, or 1 lb extra large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup packed dark-brown sugar
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips and strips halved
  • 1 ½ cups matchstick carrots
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 5 green onions, whites minced, greens sliced into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 cups bean sprouts
  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ cup unsalted peanuts, chopped
  • 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
  • red pepper flakes and sesame seeds (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Prepare rice noodles according to directions listed on package. In a mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice and fish sauce, set aside.
  2. While noodles are cooking, heat oil in a wok or a 12-inch deep sauté pan set over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sauté until cooked through, about 6 minutes. If using shrimp cook about 1 ½ minutes per side or until opaque.
  3. Transfer to a plate, leaving oil in pan. Add bell pepper and carrots sauté 1 – 2 minutes then add garlic, green onions and bean sprouts sauté 1 minute longer. 
  4. Push veggies to edges of pan and crack eggs into center. Cook and scramble until eggs have cooked through. Add in chicken, noodles and sauce and toss everything together and cook 1 – 2 minutes.
  5. Serve warm topped with cilantro, peanuts and optional red pepper flakes and sesame seeds.

© Recipe courtesy of Cooking Classy.

MAY WINE CLUB:

Silky stylePeacock_cheninNVFalse Bay Vineyards
Peacock Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc
Stellenbosch, South Africa

SILKY WINE STYLE

Aromas of peach, lime and green apple on the nose. These elegant flavors carry through onto the palate with a lovely freshness and a long, elegant finish. Enjoy this wine with a variety of dishes, including seafood, chicken risottos and Thai cuisine.

Varietal: 100% Chenin Blanc
Analysis: 13% alcohol / volume
TA: 4.8 g/l
pH: 3.5
RS: 2.5 g/l

“Chenin Blanc is regarded as the workhorse of the South African wine industry. It produces the bulk of our generic white wines. There are, however, some gems lurking amidst the flurry of Chenin blanc vineyards. Our goal is to identify these gems and allow them to be expressed in our Peacock Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc. Our Peacock Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc grapes stem from the Helderberg ward on the coastal outskirts of Stellenbosch (the home of Waterkloof). Over time, these old bush-vine vineyards (20—50 years old), planted in Chenin friendly soils, have found their natural balance and it definitely shows in the wine.” – False Bay Vineyards

© Photo by False Bay Vineyards

HARVEST AND PRODUCTION:
False Bay Vineyards follows a minimal intervention winemaking philosophy. Their grapes are tasted at regular intervals to ensure optimal taste and ripeness level. The grapes are hand-harvested and whole bunch pressed in a modern basket press. Wine undergoes natural clarification over a 24 hour period, without any added enzymes or settling agents. From here, the juice is fermented in stainless steel, concrete eggs and 600L old barrels with “wild yeasts” driven from the grapes; this process allows the flavors of the vineyard to be expressed in the wine. Due to the natural balance of the grapes, no additional tartaric acids are needed. The wine is fermented for about three months and then it is left on the secondary lees for another month before bottling.

ABOUT FALSE BAY VINEYARDS:
Waterkloof Winery’s sister company, False Bay Vineyards, produces two collections: the earlier drinking, yet refined Peacock Wild Ferment range, named after the brightly plumed birds conspicuous in and around Waterkloof’s vineyards and the False Bay wine range of easy-drinking yet quality driven wines. Named after South Africa’s most iconic bay, which frames much of the country’s premium wine-lands, False Bay Vineyards, was born from a desire to make ‘real’ wine affordable. Learn more about False Bay Vineyards here.

© Photo by False Bay Vineyards
© Photo by False Bay Vineyards
© Photo by False Bay Vineyards
© Photo by False Bay Vineyards

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