Alvi’s Drift 221 Special Cuvée Red Blend 2022 is an elegant, award-winning red blend from Worcester. The wine honors Oupa Alvi, who made rugby history in 1928 at the age of 19 by scoring the first try against the All Blacks on African soil. He was later selected as the 221st player for the Springboks. This Special Cuvée brings together 7 grape varieties in a smooth, layered wine featuring notes of mulberry, plum, white pepper, violets, spices, and a long finish.
This red blend comes from Worcester, in the Breede River Valley.
Location / Origin: The Alvi’s Drift vineyards are located in Worcester, in the heart of the Breede River Valley. The Breede River plays a key role here in water availability and the local microclimate.
Climate & Influences: The Mediterranean microclimate helps the grapes ripen fully, while the soil diversity contributes to character and complexity.
Vineyard Management: The vineyards are fertilized sustainably with natural compost made on the farm itself.
Harvest: The grapes are harvested by hand in the cool early morning, ensuring they arrive at the cellar fresh and in optimal condition.
The wine is made separately for each grape variety, ensuring each component retains its own role in the blend.
Vinification by variety: All grapes come from estate-grown vineyards, and each variety is vinified separately. This allows the final blend to be constructed with precision.
Fermentation: 30% of the varieties are fermented with wild yeasts in a combination of American and French oak barrels. The remaining components are fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve ripe fruit and freshness.
Aging / Oak maturation: The oak-aged components mature for 12 months in American and French oak. This provides extra spiciness, structure, and roundness.
Selection: Only the best tanks and oak barrels are selected by the tasting panel for the final Special Cuvée.
Alcohol content: With 13.4% alcohol, the wine has a medium body, soft texture, and great drinkability.
This Special Cuvée combines 7 grape varieties into 1 red blend.
47% Shiraz – Worcester: Shiraz forms the core of the blend, providing dark fruit, white pepper, spice, and juicy power.
28% Cabernet Sauvignon – Worcester: Cabernet Sauvignon brings structure, black fruit tones, and length.
10% Durif – Worcester: Durif adds color, concentration, and extra depth.
7% Pinotage – Worcester: Pinotage gives ripe fruit, roundness, and a recognizable South African accent.
3% Petit Verdot, 3% Marselan and 2% Grenache – Worcester: These smaller components provide floral notes, spices, red fruit, and extra complexity.
