Featured Wine – Rietvallei Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc grapes are one of the oldest cultivated varieties, originating in the Basque country, where France meets Spain. Today, it is grown all over the world and is mostly used as a blending component in premium red blends.
Cabernet Franc forms an integral part of Rietvallei’s Heritage Collection. There is the JMB Cabernet Franc, a single varietal version and then also as a main component in the Estéanna Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot blend.
Rietvallei Cabernet Franc
Rietvallei Cabernet Franc includes our signature single varietal as well as our delectable blended varietal.
JMB Cabernet Franc 2016
As a sought-after wine in our Heritage Collection, the JMB Cabernet Franc 2016 is a 100% cultivar wine. This wine has amassed a number of awards, making it one of our most prestigious reds. The wine is full-bodied and complex, with a deep red colour and the perfect balance between fruit and wood. It is aged for 26 months, giving it its distinctive toasty oak flavour. Notes of blackcurrant and plum on the palate and delicious tannins round off the wine. While it can be enjoyed from the bottle, it can also be further aged for 10 years or more to enhance its rich flavours even further. This wine is best served at room temperature, pairing well with red meats, pasta and other hearty meals.
Estéanna Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot 2016
The highly acclaimed Estéanna Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot 2016 is another award-winning wine in our Heritage Collection. This wine uses Cab Franc in a luscious blend of 62% Cabernet Franc, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. Fruit and wood integration is brought through with notes of cherry, cassis, vanilla, floral, cedar, and acidity. Full tannins add depth to the wine, making it ideal in its youth or as a further matured wine in your cellar. Serve at room temperature with meats such as beef, lamb or game for maximum enjoyment.
You will find these exceptional Rietvallei Cabernet Franc wines in our store, to buy online and enjoy delivery to your doorstep.
Rietvallei Wine Showcase – John B Collection
Named after Kobus’ late father Johnny Burger, the Rietvallei John B Collection fuses heritage and a modern lifestyle. This range is perfect for any occasion. Lunches, braais, dinners, summer afternoons, winter evenings… There’s a John B wine that’s perfect for any occasion. The collection includes a selection of still and sparkling wines.
If you’re looking for affordable wines that are easy to drink and delicious on the nose and palate, the John B range is a must-try.
Introducing the Rietvallei John B Collection
The Rietvallei John B Collection comprises of the following wines.
John B Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Crisp, fresh and fruity, the John B Sauvignon Blanc 2021 is made for everyday enjoyment. This dry wine has notes of lemon zest, grapefruit and tropical fruits, with a perfect balance of acidity. In addition to bottles, it is also available in our 3L Bag-in-Box. Serve chilled with seafood, salads and other light meals.
John B Cabernet Sauvignon / Tinta Barocca 2021
The John B Cabernet Sauvignon / Tinta Barocca 2021 is a deep, lucious blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon and 44% Tinta Barocca. Berries on the nose and palate are enhanced by a touch of spiciness, resulting in a smooth, rich wine. This wine is also available in our 3l Bag-in-Box. Serve this wine at room temperature or slightly chilled, with red meats, pizza, pasta and other hearty meals.
John B Rosé 2021
With its floral bouquet notes and blend of slightly sweet berries on the nose and palate, the John B Rosé 2021 is fresh and fruity. This wine is versatile, pairing especially well with light meals, seafood and salads. It is the perfect summer wine. It is best served chilled.
John B Brut Rosé 2021
For a sparkling take on a perennial favourite, the John B Brut Rosé 2021 is a great choice. This wine features fruity berries along with a hint of Muscat. The result is a fresh, pink sparkling wine that can be enjoyed chilled at picnics, lunches and dinners. For best enjoyment, pair this wine with light meals and seafood.
John B Brut Chardonnay 2021
For a dry sparkling wine that perfectly balances fruit and acidity, the John B Brut Chardonnay 2021 is always a winner. This wine fuses notes of apple, citrus and orange blossom, with a slight yeasty aftertaste. Serve chilled with lighter meals (especially oysters!).
Shop the Rietvallei John B Collection now to enjoy award-winning wines at affordable prices.
A Message of Thanks to Rietvallei Estate Supporters
There is no doubt that the last two years have been exceptionally challenging, for Rietvallei Estate and many other wine estates across South Africa. The impact of COVID and its resultant lockdown and restrictions have been devastating. Although lockdown restrictions have eased, the effects on the wine industry will continue to be felt.
With this in mind, we would like to thank our supporters for standing by us during one of the most difficult times in our history. At Rietvallei Estate, our focus is not only on producing the highest quality wines. It is also about fostering relationships with our customers. As a family-owned estate with a long history dating back generations, we are, and always will be, about people.
We know that times have been tough for our customers as well as the wine industry and the broader South African economy. Many have faced job losses, business closure, financial strain, major stress, health concerns, and numerous other challenges.
Thanking Our Loyal Rietvallei Estate Supporters
At the end of March 2020, in the early stages of COVID, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a National State of Disaster. This would include a stringent lockdown policy that included unprecedented measures such as the ban of alcohol sales.
Aside from sales, exports were also banned during the first five weeks of lockdown. Although exports were permitted by May, the limited operations of Cape Town’s ports resulted in major shipping delays.
In June, local alcohol sales resumed, with restrictions on trading hours and days. On-site consumption at restaurants was not permitted, with home consumption allowed. The following month, in July 2020, alcohol sale bans were once again put into place due to increased COVID hospitalisations.
In August of 2020, restrictions were lifted, with trading hours and on-site consumption limited. Over the course of 2021, we have seen similar changes occur. Slowly, as lockdown levels have decreased, alcohol sales have finally gained stability.
While the lifting of stringent bans has certainly been a major relief, many smaller wineries have not survived the impact of COVID. The wine industry in South Africa, and in particular areas such as the Cape, which rely heavily on tourism as well as wine sales, will take a long time to fully recover.
Online sales have played a big role in addressing some of this impact, opening up new ways for wine enthusiasts to find their favourite wines online. Wine farms across major regions along the Cape Wine Route have come together to unite against restrictions.
And, of course, wine consumers themselves have played a vital role in keeping the struggling industry afloat. Social media campaigns, consumer petitions, international customers, and those who have begun to head out to visit the Winelands as lockdown eases have all made a difference.
We don’t know what 2022 will bring. Hopefully, we will see a continued lowering of restrictions. What we do know, however, is that we could not have survived these times without you – our loyal supporters.
To every customer who has purchased Rietvallei Estate wines – online or in our cellar. To every customer who has visited our estate. To every customer who has continued to support us, throughout these times, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
From our family to yours, Rietvallei Estate wishes you a blessed festive season.
Featured Wine – Rietvallei Chardonnay
Whether you prefer wooded or unwooded, Rietvallei Chardonnay has something for every taste. This white wine is a green-skinned grape varietal. Originating in the Burgundy region of Eastern France, the wine is produced around the world, including South Africa. Characteristics of this wine include its balance of oak and citrus flavours. Wooded wines are matured in oak barrels, with a creamy palate. Unwooded wines have a drier, zesty flavour. The Rietvallei Chardonnay range includes selected wines from our various collections.
Rietvallei Chardonnay
Rietvallei Chardonnay wines include the following:
JMB Chardonnay 2020
In our Heritage Collection, the JMB Chardonnay 2020 offers a complex wooded Chardonnay, with a balance of fruit and oak. This year’s vintage has won two awards, including the 2021 Veritas Wine Awards: Double Gold and 2021 National Wine Challenge 2021: Double Silver.
Minimal interference in the cellar ensures that this wine maintains its terroir to perfection. The wine balances citrus and spicy oak on the nose, with a fresh yet creamy mixture of orange, lemon and lime on the palate and lingering notes of oak to round off the flavours.
Classic Chardonnay 2020
The Classic Chardonnay 2020 is fruity and lightly wooded. This easy to drink white is best served chilled with seafood and poultry dishes. It is perfect for braais, lunches and casual dinners – relaxed yet elegant.
This wine has aromas of ripe citrus on the nose, balanced with a hint of toasted oak. On the palate, it is rich and creamy, balancing fruit, oak and acidity.
Burger Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2021
The Burger Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2021 is affordable and easy to drink. A lightly wooded Chardonnay, the wine balances ripe citrus on the nose, with hints of vanilla and oak. A creamy palate fuses fruit, oak and acidity.
Serve this wine chilled, with seafood and poultry dishes. It pairs very well with dishes such as grilled fish, making it a great choice for braais and outdoor dining.
John B Brut Chardonnay 2021
For those who prefer an unwooded Chardonnay, the John B Brut Chardonnay 2021 is a perfect choice. This wine is dry, sparkling and fresh. On the nose, you will find notes of fresh citrus and orange blossom. On the palate, you will taste flavours of green apple and fruit. A slightly yeasty aftertaste and a balanced acidity add the perfect finish.
As with any sparkling wine, enjoy this with light meals such as seafood, salads or poultry dishes. It is excellent with fresh oysters, served chilled for optimal flavour.
Visit our shop to find your favourite Rietvallei Chardonnay and see why this wine continues to be a global favourite.
Celebrating an Exceptional Year for Rietvallei Wine Estate
As 2021 comes to an end, Rietvallei Wine Estate celebrates a truly exceptional year. Our accolades for the year have included awards for every wine in our Heritage Collection, along with numerous other awards for our Classic Collection and John B range. Keep reading for a full summary of our 2021 Rietvallei Wine Estate Awards.
2021 Rietvallei Wine Estate Awards
Rietvallei Wine Estate awards for 2021 include the following:
Heritage Collection
The Rietvallei Heritage Collection honours the family legacy of the estate. Featuring wines made in limited quantities, this collection has amassed many accolades over the years. 2021 awards for this collection include the following:
RIETVALLEI ESTATE 2016
- 2021 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards: Gold
- 2021 National Wine Challenge: Double Silver
JMB CABERNET FRANC 2016
- 2021 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards: Gold
- 2021 SA Cabernet Franc Challenge: Top 6
ESTÉANNA CABERNET FRANC, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, PETIT VERDOT 2016
- 2021 National Wine Challenge: Top 100 & Double Platinum
DARK CIN (CINSAUT) 2019
- 2021 National Wine Challenge: Double Gold
- 2021 Veritas Wine Awards: Silver
ESTÉANNA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020
- 2021 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards: Gold
- 2021 SA Terroir Wine Awards: National Winner
- 2021 National Wine Challenge: Top 100 & Double Platinum
- 2021 Veritas Wine Awards: Silver Outstanding
JMB CHARDONNAY 2020
- 2021 Veritas Wine Awards: Double Gold
- 2021 National Wine Challenge: Double Silver
1908 MUSCADEL 2018
- 2021 National Wine Challenge: Double Platinum & Double Platinum
Classic Collection
The Rietvallei Classic Collection comprises a selection of our core wines. From light whites to aromatic reds, this range has something for every taste. Awards won in 2021 in this collection include the following:
SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020
- 2021 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards: Gold
CLASSIC CHARDONNAY 2020
- 2021 Veritas Wine Awards: Silver
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018
- 2021 Veritas Wine Awards: Silver Outstanding
RED MUSCADEL 2018
- 2021 National Wine Challenge: Grand Cru National Champion
John B
The John B range is a lifestyle collection made for any occasion. Comprising affordable easy to drink whites, reds and sparkling wines, this range has something for every taste.
JOHN B SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021
- 2021 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards: Gold
- 2021 Winemag Sauvignon Blanc Report: Best Value & 91 Point Rating
JOHN B CABERNET SAUVIGNON / TINTA BAROCCA 2020
- 2021 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards: Gold
At Rietvallei, our goal is to continue producing the finest South African wine. We look forward to a brand new year of excellence and invite you to experience our award-winning wines for yourself with a visit to Rietvallei Wine Estate this summer.
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.
