Journey's End reflects on a rewarding 2011

Monday, 9 January, 2012
Journey's End
Journey’s End Vineyards looks back on a winning year in 2011 and launches new wine offerings for the summer season.

Boutique winery Journey’s End Vineyards, owned by the Gabb family and situated on the slopes of the famous Schaapenberg Hills above Sir Lowry's Pass Village, looks back on a winning year in 2011 and launches new offerings for the summer season.

Trophies for Top Producer, Best Wine on Show and Best White Wine on Show as well as Double Gold and Gold Medals have clearly demonstrated the potential of Journey’s End’s unique terroir and state-of-the-art cellar and affirmed the skills of talented winemaker, Leon Esterhuizen. A good year deserved to end on a high note, and it did just that at Journey’s End, where a new events centre, a holiday cottage and exciting new wines were launched in time for the summer season, including the maiden release of The Cape Doctor Cabernet Sauvignon 2007.

The 2011 Michelangelo International Wine Awards honoured Journey’s End with its pinnacle accolades: the Grotto Trophy for Top Producer; and the Grand Prix Trophy for Best Wine on Show for the Journey’s End Chardonnay 2010. Journey’s End also received two Grand D’Or (Double Gold) Medals: for the Destination Chardonnay 2011 (their flagship white wine) and the Journey’s End Chardonnay 2010, in addition to three Gold Medals: for The Cape Doctor Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (their new release flagship red wine), the Journey’s End Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 and The Pastor’s Blend 2009.

Another feather in the team’s cap came from the 2011 Nederlands Wijnconcours Awards where the Journey’s End Haystack Chardonnay 2011 was awarded the White Wine Trophy.

Rollo Gabb, Marketing Director at Journey’s End, comments, “Everyone at the winery was overjoyed with these prestigious awards, particularly as they endorse our passionate commitment to quality, to harnessing the estate’s full potential to produce wines of excellence. These latest achievements also confirm the success we have had for both our white and red wines in the past, especially our Chardonnay, which first came to prominence in 2004 when our maiden 2002 vintage received 5-stars in Platter’s South African Wines guide, the first white wine, new to Platter, ever to receive their highest star rating. Our Chardonnays have enjoyed many accolades since then, and what is most noteworthy is that our Chardonnays in all three of our wine ranges triumphed in 2011.”

Journey’s End wines: current vintages, prices and recent accolades

1. Journey’s End introductory range

  • Journey's End The Weather Station Sauvignon Blanc 2011 - R55-R60
  • Journey's End Haystack Chardonnay 2011 - R55-R60 - 2011 Netherland Wijnconcours Awards: White Wine Trophy
  • Journey's End The Pastor’s Blend 2009 - Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Shiraz blend - R55-R60 - 2011 Michelangelo Awards: Gold Medal

2. Journey’s End varietal range (single vineyard)

  • Journey's End Chardonnay 2010 - R120-R125 - 2011 Michelangelo Awards: Grand Prix Trophy for Best Wine on Show and Grand D’Or (Double Gold) Medal
  • Journey's End Merlot 2007 - R120-R125 - 2010 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition: Trophies for Best Red Wine and Best Merlot
  • Journey's End Shiraz 2007 - R120-R125
  • Journey's End Cabernet Sauvignon 2006/7 - R120-R125 - 2011 Michelangelo Awards: Gold Medal for the 2007 vintage

3. Journey’s End super-premium range (single vineyard)

  • Journey's End Destination Chardonnay 2010 - Flagship White Wine - R350 - 2011 Michelangelo Awards: Grand D’Or (Double Gold) Medal - Only one 1 500-litre barrel was released and sold out immediately. The 2011 is being released in March 2012.
  • Journey's End The Cape Doctor Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - New Release Flagship Red Wine - R350 - 2011 Michelangelo Awards: Gold Medal and 2012 Platter’s Wine Guide: 4½ Stars

Journey’s End wines are available at the estate and at select specialist wine stores and leading restaurants.

Things to do at Journey’s End

Journey’s End has enjoyed a busy festive season and has much to offer visitors in 2012.

  • Wine tasting, winery tours and cheese platters: Personalised wine tastings and winery tours with the winemaker, Leon Esterhuizen, are available by appointment only, from Monday to Saturday, 09h00 until 17h00.
  • Journey’s End’s new Events Centre: Perfect for parties, weddings receptions and conferences. Can accommodate up to 80 people for conferences and 120 for wedding receptions.
  • Peacock Cottage: New holiday and weekend accommodation. Fully furnished, fully equipped, self-catering accommodation with spectacular views, for romantic getaways, wine-tasting, horse-riding, mountain-biking, hiking and bird-watching.
  • Journey’s End Equestrian Centre: Horse-riding lessons, outback rides, wine-tasting and picnics amidst the most splendid scenery.

For more information visit www.journeysend.co.za