Benguela Cove is located in the Walker Bay subregion, just an hour's drive from Cape Town International Airport. Situated on the edge of the Bot River Lagoon, the area teems with birdlife and natural flora and fauna, with the Atlantic Ocean on the horizon. The estate, which comprises 70 hectares of vines, was purchased in 2013 by entrepreneur Penny Streeter. The estate has been recognized for its craftsmanship, led by experienced cellar master Johann Fourie. The Catalina Semillon is named after the long-lived Flying Boat that was leased to the Royal Air Force during World War II and operated from the Bot River Lagoon. The Catalina was used for coastal patrols and air support.
The grapes are harvested by hand and sorted in the cellar. Destemming and crushing are followed by two hours of skin contact. The juice is settled for 48 hours, racked, and inoculated with a select yeast strain. Eighty percent of the wine is fermented in barrel and aged for nine months to add texture and complexity. The remaining component is fermented in tank at low temperatures to allow for maximum fruit and varietal expression. Finally, the wine is aged for nine months in French oak barrels, half of which are new.
The Catalina Semillon is pale yellow in color and has an enchanting aroma with complex flavors of sweet peas, lemongrass, quince, orange blossom, and green plums. The wine is well-balanced. A small piece of Benguela Cove's masterpiece with excellent fruit intensity and vibrant acidity.
