This is not to downplay the drought which will have dire consequences if proper conservation is not practised and suitable provision of additional water is not made.
In the vineyard we are gearing up for a dry season and in the cellar we continue to find more ways of recycling water. An example of this is our rainwater harvesting project. About 6 million litres of water runs off our cellar roof annually in an average rainfall year and we are now collecting this, instead of letting it run to waste.
Awards
We are entering Awards season now and it's raining medals! Our sparkling wines have done particularly well and our 2017 whites have also performed. Although we experienced low yields in 2017, there was plenty of concentration to compensate and it shows in the results.
At the annual Gold Wine Awards for great wines at affordable prices we received Gold medals for 2017 Chenin Blanc, 2017 Down to Earth white, 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, 2015 Pinotage and Tradition Brut.
Tim Atkin, an award-winning UK wine journalist, does an annual Special Report on South African wine. In his recent 2017 Report, we received 3 medals of Excellence for any wine over 90 points (out of 100) - Monro Brut (94 points), Tradition Brut (91 points) and 2016 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc (90 points). He also rated our Tradition the best value Cap Classique in South Africa.
Also on the international front we did well in theInternational Wine and Spirit Competition where we received Silver outstanding awards for both our flagship wines - Monro Brut 2011 and Monro red 2015. In addition we received Silver Awards for Tradition Brut and our 2017 Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc.
The ability of our wines to successfully complement food was highlighted by the Sommelier Awards, where our Tradition Brut was one of the top 2 Cap Classiques, and due to its affordability it was recommended as bubbly by the glass. Our 2017 Jasmine, Domaine Grier Rosé and Domaine Grier Grenache 2014 also received Sommelier Awards.
Rosé is becoming an ever more trendy category and in the "Rosé Rocks" competition 2017 our Tradition Rosé Brut was awarded a double gold medal.
The results from Veritas and the Platter Guide are still pending and we anticipate a good performance there too.
New Releases
In December, we will release our 2016 Monro red under a new label. After much consideration, we have decided to use Merlot exclusively for our Monro red. From 2016 onwards it has become Monro Merlot. This has been done to highlight the outstanding quality that can be achieved under our "Terroir" with Merlot.
It is an exciting development for us but after almost 30 years of making a hugely popular Merlot, we believe we have identified the best blocks and the most suitable winemaking techniques to successfully create a "reserve" quality Merlot.
Our current 2015 Monro red will be the last blend under this label. It will be replaced by another red blend to be launched early next year. Watch this space...
Fizzytherapy Festival
Once again our "Fizzytherapy Festival" will celebrate summer in the form of a Garden Party on our lawns. It will feature our Cap Classiques, but our full range of still wines will also be on show. Delicious food and live music by STONE JETS will add to the atmosphere. The theme is "Fashionably Floral" and the best dressed guest will win a case of bubbly!
| Date: |
Sunday 26 November |
| Time: |
11h00 - 15h00 |
| Where: |
Villiera Lawns |
| Price: |
R150 per person (includes entrance, a glass and tasting) |
| Bookings: |
Follow us on Facebook or visit our events page via www.villiera.com |
Food can be purchased at an assortment of food trucks and cold bottles of wine can be purchased to accompany your lunch. A craft beer station by Berg River Brewery (owned by Glenn Grier) will sell beer to those with a big thirst. A special treat will be a fresh oyster stand to accompany our bubblies.
Game Drive Evenings
Our sunset game drive evenings are back. We've added something new and sizzling to this extraordinary feature of Villiera Wines. A few pleasant surprises will await you to challenge your taste buds. Departure will commence at 17:30 from the Tasting Room on a comfortable open safari vehicle. Sip and savour on a sundowner and snacks, while contemplating a diverse population of antelope and a variety of birdlife. After this 2-hour sunset drive, our Winemakers will await you on the terrace at the Tasting Room where you can enjoy a braai and wine in the glow of a crackling fire.
| Dates: |
Wednesday, 1st of November; Wednesday, 15th of November;
Wednesday, 30th of November |
| Arrival time: |
Guests to arrive at Villiera from 17:00 |
| Departure time: |
17h30 |
| End time: |
21h00 |
| Price: |
R420pp (Includes 2-hour Game Drive, snacks, sundowner, informal tasting, braai & wine)
The menu will be limited and small, therefore it can't be altered. |
| Bookings: |
Limited availability, phone us on +27.218652002 or email wine@villiera.com. |
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