Before Johan Reyneke fully focused on viticulture, he studied philosophy. In 1998, he took over his mother's wine estate and decided to combine these two passions. He believes that all living things deserve an equal footing. Therefore, he immediately applied the principles of biodynamic founder Rudolph Steiner. Without being dreamy or vague, he is working towards complete self-sufficiency. Since Johan's approach, the wines have improved enormously. Considerably less sulfites are used because the grapes are harvested more healthily. And thanks to the natural yeasts used, the quality of the wines has also improved significantly. Reyneke's wines are all pure, concentrated, and complex. The estate encompasses 20 hectares of vineyards with stunning views of Stellenbosch. Thanks to its location near False Bay, the grapes enjoy a cooling ocean breeze. Thanks to the abundant sunshine, the grapes ripen well and develop sufficient acidity for fresh and elegant wines.
The Sauvignon Blanc grapes are harvested from select plots of Reyneke's vineyards. Only the best is good enough, so they are harvested by hand. This means a rigorous selection process takes place right in the vineyards. The grapes are then chilled overnight before being hand-sorted and whole-bunch pressed. The must then undergoes spontaneous fermentation in French oak barrels. The wine is aged for 12 months on the coarse lees and then for a further four months in stainless steel tanks before bottling.
The aroma offers notes of lime, fennel, and elderflower. These clearly jump out of the glass, complemented by hints of blackcurrant and lemon zest. The palate is clearly structured, with fruity flavors of lemon and apple. A lovely, fine acidity balances everything out nicely. The wine lingers in the mouth, leaving a lasting impression with finesse.
