Solms-Delta, the progressive estate in Franschhoek, has long been known for its elegant wines that reflect the vineyards from which they were made. Now, skilfully and gently ushered from their fertile beds, the latest release wines honour this tradition.
“Science has put many tools at the disposal of winemakers and viticulturists,” says winemaker Hagen Viljoen. “With them, we have come to understand much of the magic that happens between the vineyard and the wine. But as much as excellence relies on innovation, it must be balanced with restraint. This is what we strive for in order to achieve elegant and expressive wines.”
Viljoen joined Solms-Delta in November 2012 and celebrated the 2013 vintages of Solms-Delta Amalie and Solms-Delta Lekkerwijn as his first wines completed from vine-to-bottle.
The Lekkerwijn 2013 is a full-bodied and textural wine, dominated by Grenache, and includes Mourvèdre and Cinsaut in the blend. The Amalie 2013 is a blend of grapes from Piekenierskloof, Voor-Paardeberg, Swartland and the estate itself, and from four grape varietals - Grenache blanc, Chenin blanc, Roussanne and Viognier.
Also amongst the newcomers is the Solms-Delta Koloni 2012, a white wine blend driven by Muscat de Frontignan and accompanied by a small component of Muscat d’Alexandrie. Intensely aromatic, Koloni has a dense palate balanced by a fine acidity. In contrast, the Solms-Delta Africana 2012 is a single varietal Shiraz desiccated on the vine. It is dark and concentrated in the glass, nuanced with liquorice, black cherries, cassis fruit and hints of potpourri.
The wines are part of a widely acclaimed portfolio. Notable achievements include Gordon Ramsay’s selection of the Amalie for the winelist of his New York restaurant, The London.
The core team behind the making of Solms-Delta wines comprises Viljoen, assistant winemaker Joan-Marie Heatlie, vineyard manager Francois Vermeulen and internationally respected viticulturist Rosa Kruger.
The estate has 35ha of the 76ha farm planted to vines. Its reds comprise predominantly Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Pinotage. Its white grape varieties include Grenache blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, Chenin blanc, Semillon and Macabeau. For the making of its wines, it also sources grapes from South Africa’s top performing vineyards, relying heavily on Rosa Kruger’s unrivalled knowledge of local terroir
Among its new additions are Cinsaut from vines dating back to the 1930’s. Complimenting this depth of diversity in the vineyard is the pursuit of innovation. During its early establishment, director Mark Solms, a world renowned neuroscientist, introduced varietals suited to the climate and soils of the famous Franschhoek Wine Valley as well as the ancient Mediterranean practice of vine desiccation. The overall result is a uniquely South African stable of wines offering a cascade of tastes and styles. More recently, concrete egg-shaped fermentation tanks have been employed in the making of some of its wines. With no corners to inhibit movement, the egg-shape is said to promote a cyclical flow, promoting optimal fermentation.
Solms-Delta places a strong focus on environmental sustainability, which is showcased through initiatives such as the Dik-Delta garden of indigenous plants. The garden supplies some of the ingredients used in the estate’s Fyndraai restaurant. Most recently fynbos species from Clanwilliam have been added and the establishment of a plant nursery is underway.
Beehives are also being employed to supply honey for the production of the estate’s popular !Karri honey wine. Environmentally friendly compost is produced on the farm and used in the vineyards and the Dik-Delta garden. In terms of the wines themselves, the team is up to date with the latest trends; earlier this year assistant winemaker Joan Heatlie spent time in Italy on a farm near the town of Lucca, learning more about biodynamic grape growing and winemaking.
Solms-Delta has also become known for its activities around heritage preservation. It is home to the Museum van de Caab, a treasury of artefacts unearthed at the estate and testament to all who lived and worked there over the centuries, and the Music van de Caab Cape Rural Music Centre. The result of research and community development work, the centre is led by two salaried teachers and three part time tutors and consultants who encourage playing and developing the authentic music of the Cape. The music programme on the farm is a recognised project for World Design Capital Cape Town 2014 (#WDC536).
Acknowledged as a powerful tool for transformation, these traditions are accommodated in Solms-Delta’s old farm buildings renovated for this purpose.
Solms-Delta wines are available for purchase online at www.solms-delta.co.za, or from leading wine retailers.
Solms-Delta can be followed on Twitter @solms_delta, liked on Facebook / solmsdelta, or visited at www.solms-delta.co.za for more information or +27.218743937. #SolmsWines @HagenViljoen