At
its genesis, the Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir – a scintillating
marriage of white and red varietals – represented true pioneering work by Von
Arnim. The Burgundian varietals were barely on the fringes of South African
wine. Now, two decades later, the esteemed white blend remains on top wine lists
and continues to win hearts, thanks to a sustained and lifelong commitment by the
Von Arnim family.
As
in the past, the wine today bears on its label the name of its creator. This mantle
now assumed by Achim von Arnim’s eldest son, Takuan, sees the wine’s singular
heritage and philosophies borne into the future.
The
wine’s success came about mostly by surprise and co-incidence, says Achim von
Arnim. “We approached the bank to buy a small farm in Franschhoek and set out
to produce an equivalent to Champagne from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.” From its
humble beginnings, demand for the Pierre Jourdan MCC range grew steadily, but
suddenly hit a snag. “The 1994 crop was very small, which means the grapes
ripen very early and rapidly,” recalls Von Arnim. “The base wine was 12%
alcohol, making it unsuitable for the MCC - but we had to market our crop in
order to bring in the money to re-pay our loan.” Unsure, but determined to make the best of the
situation, Von Arnim went ahead and bottled this portion of wine as a still
blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% white Pinot Noir – which turned out to be
glorious, and has forever remained an honoured flag bearer of the South African
wine industry. Combined in perfect proportions, the
Chardonnay contributes elegance while the Pinot Noir brings intensity and
richness.
At
the time, Cape restaurateur Yvonne Romano of the Mediterranean Kitchen had put
a challenge to wine producers: she sought a white wine to match her
Bouillabaisse. “We took the challenge and, with a few friends, we enjoyed a
magnificent lunch at the Mediterranean Kitchen,” recalls Von Arnim. “Our new
blend was so beautiful and we were suddenly convinced that this wine held a lot
of promise for the future.”
Significantly
during that same year, the Von Arnim’s acquired their second property on the Franschhoek
mountain pass, overlooking the valley. Here, to this day, Haute Cabrière – the
home of Pierre Jourdan - grows its distinctive portfolio of wines on a simple
philosophy: the balanced contributions of Sun, Soil, Vine and Man.
It
is these four words that adorn a sundial erected at the entrance to Haute Cabrière’s
exquisite subterranean restaurant and maturation cellar. They serve as a
constant reminder: “We are still a family business and it hasn’t been easy, but
the only thing that saves us is personal commitment,” says Von Arnim.
“Everything, including our wine, is about balance and respect.”
A
perfect accompaniment to seafood and salad dishes, the Haute Cabrière
Chardonnay Pinot Noir sells for around R85 a bottle and is available at all
reputable wine stores, restaurants and from the estate.
More information about Haute Cabrière is available on their website www.cabriere.co.za Visitors can experience the full range of wines and Méthode Cap Classiques at the beautiful tasting venue or join daily guided cellar tours and tastings. For bookings, call 021 876 8500 or send email to reservations@cabriere.co.za