Rietvallei-wyne gedy op ʼn golf van goud
Met die jaar wat einde se kant toe staan, kan Rietvallei Landgoed by Robertson terugkyk op ʼn golf van kompetisiesukses wat hom deurentyd in die kollig gehou het – duidelik die vrug op letterlik dekades se insette en ontwikkeling deur ses geslagte om hierdie familieplaas se natuurlike bates behoorlik te benut.
“Toenemende erkenning, veral in die laaste jaar, het my as wynmaker ook die selfvertroue gegee om onbevange uiting te gee aan my natuurlike voorkeure en om wyn te maak soos ek daarvan hou. En die belonings stroom in.”
Só vertel die wynmaker-eienaar van hierdie 158-jarige wynplaas, Kobus Burger, na aanleiding van hul rits suksesse in prominente kompetisies soos die Veritas-toekennings, SA Terroir-kompetisie en die Michelangelo Internasionale Wyn– en Spiritualieë-kompetisie.
“Ja, elkeen van die geslagte se eienaarskap het hul rol gespeel om Rietvallei tot hier te bring. En ons het almal foute gemaak, maar gelukkig ook goeie dinge gedoen. Ek wil egter my pa uitsonder, want dit is sedert hy die rigting verander het en omvattende vernuwing ingestel het, wat die groot dinge gebeur het.”
Wyle Johnny Burger het in 1981 ʼn nuwe, moderne kelder gebou in die plek van wat basies ʼn muskadel- en bulk-kelder was, met vlekvrye staaltenks, verkoeling en al. Dit sluit die groot stappe in om koue fermentasiefasiliteite te skep en later van stortmaatwyn-produksie vir ʼn groothandelaar weg te breek en ʼn eie handelsmerk te bou.
Hul eerste handelsmerkwyn was die 1975 Muskadel en die eerste natuurlike droë witwyn, ʼn Chardonnay in 1987 – wat in die laat 90’s gegroei het tot ʼn portefeulje van vier, teenoor vandag se 24 wat opsies vir wye smaakvoorkeure bied.
Kobus het ná ʼn offisierskursus in die Vloot en ʼn graad in meganiese ingenieurswese sy gewig met bemarking agter pa Johnny ingegooi – destyds ʼn kleurvolle en pretensielose, maar ook sterk persoonlikheid in die Vallei van Wyn en Rose.
Kobus het in 2002 oestydwerk by die Bergkelder in Stellenbosch en by die Henri Bourgeois-wynkelder in Sancerre gedoen. Sy eerste oes op Rietvallei was in 2003 saam met Johnny – laasgenoemde wat daarna op die wingerdbou en boerdery kon fokus met Kobus aan die roer van keldersake.
Vandag sorg Kobus vir 90 hektaar onder wingerd, 55% wit en 45% rooi druiwe, hoofsaaklik Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz en ʼn ou hoeksteen van Rietvallei se tradisie, die 113 jaar-oue bosstok Rooi Muskadel, wat oor die jare ʼn vlagskip van die landgoed was.
“ʼn Belangrike faktor in die jongste jare se sukses in die markplek en met kompetisies is dat die nuwe wingerd-aanplantings nou volwassenheid bereik het en meer vrug-intensiteit en karakter lewer, wat natuurlik deurdra in die kelder.”
Vandag pryk die trofeë vir SA Terroir Top Landgoed en Topprodusent by die Novare SA Terroir Wyntoekennings 2021 in die keurig gerestoureerde Rietvallei-herehuis en besoekersfasiliteite met ʼn pragtuin.
Rietvallei Wynlandgoed het uitgetroon by hierdie kompetisie deur beide hierdie spogpryse in te palm. Sodoende het die landgoed nie net sy unieke terrein-eienskappe soos kalkryke, goed gedreineerde grond vir wynproduksie bevestig nie, maar ook Robertson-distrik se groeiende statuur as oorsprong van voortreflike wyn.
Rietvallei is hier ook aangewys as nasionale wenner in die Sauvignon Blanc- en Chenin Blanc-kategorieë – die land se mees mededingende en mees aangeplante witwynkultivars. Sy nasionale wenners was Estéanna Sauvignon Blanc 2020 en Chenin Blanc 2020 – beide vatgegis en met oordeelkundige houtkontak berei.
Die Estéanna Sauvignon Blanc word gemaak van die landgoed se hoogste produksie-kultivar. Die naam is in Rietvallei se tipiese familietradisie ontleen aan Kobus en Elizabeth Burger se dogters, Esté en Annie … wie se tweelingbroers se name seker weldra op wenwyne sal pryk.
Die familie-vaandel wyne Estéanna Sauvignon Blanc 2020 en JMB Cabernet Franc 2016 was vroeër vanjaar ook onder die oes van ses goue medaljes by die Michelangelo-kompetisie waar byna 1 900 wyne dit vir die louere uitgespook het.
En dan die kersie op die koek – in die onlangse Veritas-toekennings, met sowat 1 300 inskrywings, het die Rietvallei JMB Chardonnay 2020 enkelwingerdwyn ʼn gesogte dubbelgoud medalje losgeslaan en die Rietvallei Estéanna Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot 2009 (in ʼn magnum 1.5 liter bottel), ʼn goud.
Die JMB-wyne is deel van Rietvallei se spitsreeks Heritage Collection-wyne, met die naam ontleen aan “Johnny”, oftewel Johannes Marthinus Burger – ook die inspirasie van hul gewilde, bekostigbare John B-wynreeks.
Die ander reekse is Rietvallei Classic Collection, Burger Family Vineyards en Stonedale, almal ook aanlyn beskikbaar of met besoek aan Rietvallei.
Hier langs die R60 met die skilderagtige Langeberge in die agtergrond, kan jy ervaar hoe ouwêreldse tradisies en resepte van een van die oudste plase in die Robertson-wynvallei in harmonie met Nuwe Wêreld-innovering en -metodes toegepas word. En hoe Kobus en Elizabeth die trotse Burger-familietradisie wat tot 1864 terugdateer, stylvol en gasvry voortsit.
Rietvallei strikes Gold at Veritas
Rietvallei Estate is continuing its run of clinching awards in premier wine competitions, now boasting a Double Gold and Gold award at the Veritas Awards 2021.
Receiving these coveted medals during the awards function at the stylish Val de Vie Estate Polo Club in Paarl on Saturday, were the JMB Chardonnay 2020 (Double Gold) and Estéanna Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot 2009 (Gold).
This follows on the Estate recently clinching six Gold medals at the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards and earlier also being named as national winners for both Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc categories at the Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards and winning both the trophies for SA Terroir Top Estate and Top Producer.
The Veritas Awards had almost 1 300 entries, judged by a jury of 64 specialists during a five-day blind tasting session. Chardonnay was highly competitive with 93 entries, while Red Blends received the most entries, namely 166.
- Rietvallei JMB Chardonnay 2020 is from a single vineyard – full-bodied and complex, the result of fermentation in 300-litre French oak barrels and a further eight months of maturation on the lees. It is part of the Estate’s top-tiered, limited edition Heritage Collection portfolio.
- Rietvallei Estéanna 2009 is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Full-bodied and well-rounded after maturation of 24 months in new 300-litre French oak barrels, with the structure to mature for a good ten years plus. Big, literally and figuratively, in a magnum bottle also part of the Estate’s Heritage Collection.
Rietvallei Estate maintains awards momentum at Michelangelo
Rietvallei Estate is continuing its spate of competition successes, having just clinched six gold medals at the 2021 Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards – with the Estate’s Heritage Collection leading the pack.
Its haul of gold medals announced this week, comprises Rietvallei Estate 2016, Rietvallei Estéanna Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Rietvallei JMB Cabernet Franc 2016, Rietvallei Sauvignon Blanc 2020, John B Cabernet Sauvignon Tinta Barocca 2020 and John B Sauvignon Blanc 2021.
These wines competed against close on 1 900 wine and spirits entries to this leading competition which this year included entries from various countries in Eastern Europe, as well as Australia, Switzerland, Kenya, Zambia, Namibia and the UK.
The well-awarded Rietvallei Estéanna Sauvignon Blanc excelled in the cultivar category with the second highest number of entries, namely 153, after Shiraz with 160.
This success follows on the heels of the same wine recently being named as a national winner at the 2021 Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards in addition to Rietvallei also walking away with the national winner for Chenin Blanc and both the trophies for SA Terroir Top Estate and Top Producer.
Said Kobus Burger, “What a pleasure to be riding on a wave of competition successes and recognition, and this over a wide style spectrum thanks to our incredible terroir diversity here in the majestic Robertson Valley.”
Rietvallei triumphs with top terroir wine traits
Rietvallei Wine Estate has received top honours at the 2021 Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards, winning both the trophies for SA Terroir Top Estate and Top Producer – thereby not only reaffirming its unique terroir traits for fine wine production, but also the Robertson winegrowing area’s growing stature as leading origin of fine wine.
Rietvallei was also named as national winners for the Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc categories and these winning wines were:
- Estéanna Sauvignon Blanc 2020, the estate’s predominant that has now for two years been produced in a true blanc fumé style, with barrel-fermentation and subtle wood-contact.
- Chenin Blanc 2020, a dry and fruity wine that has trumped in the category with most entries overall and is the most prolifically planted cultivar in South Africa.
Additionally, the estate also won Robertson’s District’s categories for Cabernet Franc (JMB Cabernet Franc 2016), Red Blend (Rietvallei Estate 2016), Sauvignon Blanc (Estéanna Sauvignon Blanc 2020), Chenin Blanc (Rietvallei Chenin Blanc 2020) and Muscadel (Rietvallei Muscadel 2018) at this year’s 16th annual Terroir Awards.
The Awards’ results were announced at Overture Restaurant in Hidden Valley, Stellenbosch, on Wednesday 22 September. The national winners of the Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards 2021; derive from 17 terrains across the Cape Winelands.
Said Kobus Burger, owner-winemaker of this 158 year-old wine estate, “We feel extremely honoured to have been awarded these two trophies at this year’s Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards. It’s gratifying to see our area and its terroir-driven wines increasingly being acknowledged among the country’s leading wine terrains with their incredible diversity.”
Ontmoet ons wynboere: Rietvallei hou vas aan sy familie
Rietvallei‑wynlandgoed het in 2014 ’n belangrike mylpaal bereik deur een van slegs ’n handjievol Suid-Afrikaanse wynlandgoedere te word om 150 jaar se eienaarskap onder een familie te vier. Hierdie wynlandgoed is nou in Kobus Burger se hande, wat die sesde geslag Burgers is om wyndruiwe te produseer.
Die plaas is in 1864 deur Alewyn Burger vir sy seun, Jacobus Francois, gekoop. Hy was ʼn gerekende baanbrekerwynboer en was 70 jaar oud toe hy in 1908 ’n muskadel-wingerd op die plaas gevestig het, wat vandag die oudste van sy soort in Suid-Afrika is. Hierdie wingerd bestaan uit bosstokke en is ongeveer 0,37 hektaar groot.
Rietvallei was ook een van die eerste wynplase wat in die pragtige Robertson-wynvallei gevestig is en lê in die Klaasvoogds-wyk, ’n gebied met eiesoortige grondstrukture en ʼn klimaat wat ideaal is vir die verbouing van wyndruiwe.
Die landgoed is 215 hektaar groot, waarvan 95 hektaar onder wingerd beplant is. Ander gewasse soos bloubessies en lusern word ook op die landgoed verbou.
Tans bestaan die wingerde uit 55% wit en 45% rooi kultivars wat hoofsaaklik saamgestel is uit sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, chenin blanc, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, shiraz en dan natuurlik die tradisionele rooi muskadel.
Nadat Kobus ʼn offisierskursus in die vloot en ʼn graad in meganiese ingenieurswese verwerf het, het hy in 2002 sy gewig agter sy pa, Johnny, ingegooi en by Rietvallei-landgoed se bemarking betrokke geraak. Hulle het besluit om van Distell, wat die landgoed se bemarking en verspreiding langer as 25 jaar gedoen het, weg te breek. In 2002 het Vinimark die nasionale verspreider van Rietvallei-landgoed geword.
In 2002 het Kobus ook die kuns van wynmaak aan die Bergkelder in Stellenbosch begin bemeester en in September is hy Frankryk toe waar hy tydens hul oestyd in Sancerre by die Henri Bourgeois-familiewynkelder gewerk het.
Kobus het sy eerste oes op Rietvallei saam met sy pa in 2003 meegemaak, wat hom die fynere vaardighede, wat eie aan die plaas is, geleer het. In 2004 was Kobus gereed om die wynmakery oor te neem terwyl sy pa begin het om hom op die boerdery toe te spits.
Kobus en sy vrou, Elizabeth, het vier kinders, twee dogters en tweelingseuns. Elizabeth is aktief betrokke by die onderneming en bestuur die herehuis en ander geriewe. Sy is ook die sjef wanneer spesiale gaste of internasionale agente op die plaas onthaal word.
Rietvallei se wingerde floreer in die skoon Karoo-lug wat vanuit die noorde oor die Langeberg na die kus beweeg. Dit gebeur ook dikwels vroeg in die oggend dat die wingerdstokke in mis gehul is terwyl ʼn somerbriesie weer van die kus af kom om die druiwe verder af te koel, sodat hulle stadig kan ryp word om ʼn voldoende suikerinhoud te ontwikkel.
Die grond op die landgoed is goed gedreineer en ryk aan kalk, met ’n hoë pH, wat ideaal vir wynbou is. Die grondsoorte wissel van rooi kalkagtige klei-leem, tot diep kalkleem, tot rotsagtige en selfs ook tot sanderige alluviale grond teen die banke van die Breërivier.
Soos die moderne neiging is, word ook so veel as moontlik organiese praktyke op Rietvallei toegepas. “Wanneer dit beskikbaar is, komposteer ons hoendermis en/of beesmis saam met ons druiwedoppe wat ons dan gedurende die wintermaande in die wingerde inwerk. Ongelukkig is die mis nie altyd beskikbaar nie, of net te duur om ekonomies sin te maak,” sê Kobus. “Derhalwe gebruik ons ook gewone kunsmis om aanvullings te doen.
“Ons pas voorkomende spuitprogramme toe vir witroes en donsskimmel, wat potensieel twee groot probleme vir wingerdboere in die Wes-Kaap is. Hoe natter die jaar is, hoe hoër is dié siektes se druklading, maar as jou voorkomende stelsels in plek is, is jy veilig.”
Bykomend tot die kompos spuit Kobus ook aanvullende blaarvoeding.
ʼn Gedeelte van Rietvallei se wingerd word meganies gesnoei met ʼn snoeiaanhangsel vooraan ʼn trekker en die oprankstelsels is spesiaal daarvoor aangepas. Hierdie boorde word ook meganies geoes.
Die ou muskadel bosstok-blok moet weer sagkens hanteer word en met die hand gesnoei word. Daar word ook ʼn graaf en skoffel ingespan om rondom skoon te maak. “Die blok was destyds baie groter, maar moes toenemend plek maak vir nuwe aanplantings en soms gaan daar oesjare verby wat daar niks geoes word nie, maar ons hou dit vir ʼn nalatenskap,” sê hy.
Rietvallei bied wyn vir elke klas koper aan, van hul Rietvallei Heritage- en Classic-versamelings tot die gewilde John B-handelsmerk.
Vanjaar het Kobus ook die mark met ʼn sak in ʼn boks binnegedring met die John B-reeks “Dit werk uitstekend vir restaurante wat wyn by die glas verkoop.”
Rietvallei bied verskillende opsies vir funksies met ’n mediumgrootte binnehof wat uitloop op die ruim stoep en weelderige grasperk. Dit kyk uit op ʼn pragtige tuin en bied ʼn asemrowende uitsig op die Langeberg. Daar is ook ʼn gesellige lapa met sy eie kroeg en ’n kaggel. Rietvallei kan ook konferensies en vergaderings vir tot 50 mense aanbied.
2021 National Wine Challenge Results
We are extremely honoured and excited to have so many of our collection awarded by this prestigious wine competition. The National Wine Challenge, incorporating Top 100 SA Wines, is the premier fine-wine-only wine competition in SA and our results are as follow:
Grand Cru National Champion Best in Class
Rietvallei Red Muscadel 2018
Top 100 & Double Platinum awards
Rietvallei Red Muscadel 2018
Rietvallei Estéanna Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Rietvallei Estéanna Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot 2016
Rietvallei 1908 Red Muscadel 2018
Double Gold awards
Rietvallei Dark Cin 2019
Double Silver awards
Rietvallei Estate 2016
Rietvallei JMB Chardonnay 2020
According to Robin von Holdt, CEO of Buybetterwine.com, strong competition worldwide remains on the attack, but it is obvious for now that ascendancy for SA fine wine remains the current trajectory. “Covid 19 and the knock-on implications both financially and with regards to trade have been hugely damaging in many ways. Suffice to say that the industry has been dealt a number of blows… Fortunately, the wine industry culture is resilient and is one of hard, enthusiastic work together with a life-long commitment. Because of these characteristics, the future is secure. The path to achieving this however remains difficult for many. Thus, we too continue our justified and committed praise of SA’s fine wines at all opportunities and in all situations.”
#rietvalleiwines #rietvalleiawards #nationalwinechallenge
2021 Cabernet Franc Challenge Results
This year marks the 6th annual Cabernet Franc Challenge in South Africa with a total of 43 entries. We are pleased to announce that our JMB Cabernet Franc 2016 has been rated among the Top 6 of Cabernet Franc’s nationwide.
Christine Rudman, who led the challenge tasting panel, said there was less herbaceousness across the range than in previous Challenges and that the panel was also very impressed by the older vintages, which proves the maturation potential of the varietal. “The best wines had balance, elegance, suppleness, and complexity, showing fruit purity with tertiary perfumes and flavours of violets and graphite. The oak regime was commendable, in harmony yet supplying a core for strength and aging”.
The JMB Cabernet Franc is a dark and complex wine, rich in flavour with a beautiful nose. The pallet delivers wonderful notes of toasted oak, blackcurrant and coffee. Only the very best grapes are selected for this premium wine. Left on new French oak for 24 months, this elegantly wooded wine is the perfect partner for those fireplace nights fast approaching
To place your order for our award winning JMB Cabernet Franc 2016, please visit our online shop https://rietvallei.co.za/product/jmb-cabernet-franc-2016
#rietvalleiwines #rietvalleiawards #nationalwinechallenge
2020 HKIWSC Award Results
We are honoured to have received a Gold award for our Rietvallei Estate 2016 from the globally prestigious Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition (HKIWSC). The HKIWSC is regarded as the most respected wine and spirit competition in Asia.
This year’s, 48 Hong Kong-based judges were charged with triple-blind tasting over 1000 entries, with an additional layer of “blindness” from to judge to judge due to strict distancing measures. We’re pleased that our Rietvallei Estate 2016 received a score of 90+.
Rietvallei’s sixth-generation proprietor and winemaker Kobus Burger was curious to see what distinctive blend might be created from a vintage that was fixed in time and place as if by decree. On the 18th of March 2016, a limited number of cases of grapes were hand-picked from each of Rietvallei’s prize vineyards, roughly in proportion to their acreage on the farm. The grapes were then all fermented together in a single tank and matured for 36 months in 300-litre French oak barrels. After bottling a further 12 months of bottle maturation was allowed before final packaging and release.
This complex blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Petit Verdot, Tinta Barocca, Cinsault, Roobernet, and Cabernet Franc is truly a unique wine, representing all that is Rietvallei Estate. To place your order for our award-winning Rietvallei Estate 2016, please visit our online shop https://rietvallei.co.za/product/estate-2016/
#rietvalleiwines #rietvalleiawards #HKIWSC
Two Gold Medals for Rietvallei Wine Estate @ 2020 Veritas Awards
We are happy to announce that both our Rietvallei JMB Chardonnay 2019 & Rietvallei Shiraz 2018 has received gold medals at the 2020 Veritas Awards.
Synonymous with excellence in wine and brandy, the Veritas Awards is the longest running and most prestigious wine and brandy competition in South Africa, dating back to 1991. In addition to the two Gold medals we also received two Silver Outstanding, seven Silver and four Bronze medals.
An overview of the Rietvallei Estate gold medal wines:
The Rietvallei JMB Chardonnay 2019 is a full-bodied, complex wine with excellent fruit and wood- integration. Lots of work in the vineyard and minimal interference in the cellar, allows this wine to express its terroir to the fullest. A complex nose, rich in citrus aromas and complemented by some spicy, toasted oak notes. The palate is rich and creamy, with a mixture of ripe orange, lemon and lime flavours.
The Rietvallei Shiraz 2018 has an intense ruby red colour and expresses flavours of berry fruit, ground pepper spice and peachy fruit. The palate is alive with berry fruit and the peppery, spicy and toasted oak flavours are well- integrated. A full-bodied wine with pleasant ripe tannins and a smooth, lingering aftertaste.
To place your order for the above wines please visit our online shop:
https://rietvallei.co.za/product/jmb-chardonnay-2019/
https://rietvallei.co.za/product/shiraz-2018/
#veritas2020 #rietvallei
Rietvallei Sauvignon Blanc 2020 – Prescient Top 10
We are happy to announce that our Rietvallei Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2020 received Top 10 Status in this year’s Sauvignon Blanc Report.
The Sauvignon Blanc Unwooded Report convened by Winemag.co.za and sponsored by Prescient received 115 entries in total. The wines were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by a three-person panel, the scoring was done according to the 100-point scale. The panel consisted of Christian Eedes from Winemag and Roland Peens and James Pietersen, both of Wine Cellar, Cape Town merchants and cellarers of fine wine.
Feedback from the judges:“A hint of reduction before pear, peach and citrus with notes of blossom and fynbos in the background.The palate is lean and fresh with a saline finish – supremely elegant.”
To place your order for this wine please visit our online shop:
https://rietvallei.co.za/product/sauvignon-blanc-2020/
#SauvignonBlancReport 2020 #rietvallei
