Vineyards

For the last 100 years or so, quality grapes have been delivered to De Helderberg Co-op, but in 1994 we pressed a small quantity of our Sauvignon Blanc grapes.

For the last 100 years or so, quality grapes have been delivered to De Helderberg Co-op, but in 1994 we pressed a small quantity of our Sauvignon Blanc grapes. In 1995 we added a partially wood fermented Chenin Blanc to the range. Not just a fruity, upfront, happy, quaffing wine - we specifically endeavour to produce Chenin Blanc to stand a class apart, in a different style, definately a great accompaniment to fine food. A wine of complex structure and discernible character, from our 30 year old vines. We harvested full-ripe grapes and after pressing, almost half of the juice was fermented in new and second fill oak barrels and left on the secondary lees to add complexity, before being blended back with the unwooded Chenin. The result, a very individual, sturdy food wine with deep moulded character, unmistakably Chenin Blanc, but unique in style.

This, we believe, will be the sort of style, full bodied, fully ripe, well developed food wines that we can produce from our mature vineyards at Scholtzenhof. Then in 1996, we added a blend unique in South Africa, Grenache and Syrah. The Grenache being the only vineyard in Stellenbosch and planted in 1953. (almost 50 years old!) Again, an individual style of wine unique to the Ken Forrester range.

The farm is 40 hectares and roughly 36 hectares of that is under vine. The following grape varietals are on the farm; Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Grenache, Mourvedre, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

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