CapeNature Stadsaal Caves

WINES AND VARIETIES

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At Cederberg Private Cellar, red wine production constitutes 60% of overall production, and white wine 40%. At present there are 53 ha under vine. Regarding white vine varieties, the focus is on Sauvignon blanc and Chenin blanc and for red wine varieties, on Cabernet sauvignon and Shiraz. Other cultivars on the farm include Bukettraube, Chardonnay, Viognier, Merlot and Pinotage. Sauvignon blanc grapes and Sémillon grapes from Elim are used for David Nieuwoudt’s Ghost Corner range. Every year he selects a small quantity of grapes from a few hand-picked vineyards. During 2007, David helped Dr Charl du Toit from the neighbouring farm, Driehoek, to plant 5 ha of vines: Sauvignon blanc (2 ha); Shiraz (2 ha) and Pinot noir (1 ha). As the crow flies, the vineyard lies 8 km to the north-west of Cederberg Private Cellar. Dr Du Toit does not envisage making wine himself and has therefore decided to assist David in this way. In 2009 the first Shiraz was picked from this vineyard.

Wines

A question that often gets asked at tastings is: What is your flagship range, reserve and driving brand/s? Well, we believe that ‘flagship ranges’ and ‘driving brands’ are concepts that every Tom, Dick and Jane use on every occasion. At present Cederberg Private Cellar produces six different ranges – each range and, in fact, each wine, has to speak for itself.

The six ranges are:

Cederberg range

6 wines, a Méthode Cap Classique, a Chardonnay and a Rosé

Cape Atlantic range

3 wines

Five Generations range

2 wines
Cederberg Sauvignon Blanc
Cederberg Chenin Blanc
Cederberg Bukettraube
Cederberg Cederberger
Cederberg Cabernet Sauvignon
Cederberg ShirazBlanc de Blancs
Méthode Cap ClassiqueChardonnay
Sustainable Rosé		 Cape Atlantic Sauvignon Blanc
Cape Atlantic Pinotage
Cape Atlantic Merlot

Five Generations Chenin Blanc

Five Generations
Cabernet Sauvignon

Waitrose Foundation
Sustainable range

Only available at certain
Waitrose stores in the UK
2 wines

David
Nieuwoudt
Ghost Corner range

2 wines

Cape Winemakers Guild wines

Only available at the annual Cape Winemakers Guild auction
2 wines during 2008 and 2009

Waitrose Sustainable Chenin Blanc
Waitrose Sustainable Shiraz

David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Semillon
David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc

 Cape Winemakers Guild
Teen die Hoog Shiraz
Cape Winemakers Guild
Semillon

VARIETIES :

Here follows a list of the varieties we work with and where they grow:

WHITE WINE VARIETIES

Bukettraube
from Cederberg

—————————————————————-

6,7 ha in 2 blocks

Oldest plantings: 1994 in Glenrosa

Youngest plantings: 2008 in Glenrosa

First vintage: 1979

International origin: It is generally accepted that Bukettraube was cultivated in Alsace, Germany in the 19th century. For interesting views on the origin of this variety, see the FAQ box.

Chardonnay
from Cederberg

—————————————————————-
1,5 ha in 1 block

Oldest plantings: 1997 in Glenrosa

Youngest plantings: None

International origin: Burgundy, eastern France. Modern DNA fingerprinting research suggests that Chardonnay is a cross between the French Pinot noir and Gouais blanc – a variety brought from the Balkans by the Romans. It is believed that this variety was selected for propagation because of the hybrid vigour it showed.

Chenin blanc
from Cederberg

—————————————————————-

6,4 ha in 2 blocks

Oldest plantings: 2004 in sandstone

Youngest plantings: 2008 in Glenrosa

First vintage: 1974

International origin: One of the older cultivars believed to originate in the Anjou wine region in western France in the 9th century. From Anjou it travelled to the Loire Valley where the first planting was recorded in 1445, at a place known as Mont Chenin.

Sauvignon blanc
from Cederberg

—————————————————————-

11 ha in 6 blocks

Oldest plantings: 2000 in grey slate

Youngest plantings: 2006 in red slate and sandstone

First vintage: 1984

International origin: An early-ripening variety that originated in the western Loire Valley and the Bordeaux region. It was recorded as early as the 17th century

Sauvignon blanc
from Elim

—————————————————————-

3 ha in 1 block

Oldest plantings: 2001 in Bokkeveld slate

Youngest plantings: 2006 in red slate and sandstone

First vintage: 2008

Sémillon
from Elim

—————————————————————-

3 ha in 1 block

Oldest plantings: 2002 in Bokkeveld slate

Youngest plantings: 2006 in red slate and sandstone

First vintage: 2008

International origin: Bordeaux in south-western France. It is still recognised as the most important white wine variety in the Bordeaux region.

Viognier
from Cederberg

—————————————————————-

1 ha in 1 block

Youngest plantings: 2006 in red slate

First vintage: In 2009 for an experimental wine

International origin: Viognier is believed to have originated in Dalmatia in modern-day Croatia. Only later, in 281 AD, was it brought to the Rhône Valley in France by the Romans. It is believed that the Romans called the wine ‘via Genhennae’, meaning ‘the road to hell’, referring to the difficulty of cultivating the grape.

RED WINE VARIETIES

Cabernet sauvignon
from Cederberg

—————————————————————-

7,5 ha in 3 blocks

Oldest plantings: 1998 in red slate and Hutton; the 1972 vines were removed in 2007

Youngest plantings: 2002 in red slate and Hutton

First vintage: 1977

International origin: A cultivar that developed from a chance crossing between Sauvignon blanc and Cabernet franc during the 17th century in the Médoc region in Bordeaux, France.

Merlot
from Cederberg

—————————————————————-

3,1 ha in 2 blocks

Oldest plantings: 1995 in Sandy loam/alluvial soils

Youngest plantings: 2000 in red slate and Hutton

First vintage: 1989

International origin: Recorded for the first time in 1784 in Bordeaux where it originated from a Cabernet franc vine. It is named after a black bird, ‘merle’. Either the bird loved the grape, or it refers to the colour of the bird’s feathers.

Pinotage
from Cederberg

—————————————————————-

Pinotage removed after harvest of 2010

Oldest plantings: 1994 in slate and sandstone

First vintage: 1973

International origin: This is one of three locally cultivated grape varieties, its parents being Pinot noir and Cinsaut noir (Hermitage). In 1925 Prof Izak Perold planted the four seeds produced by the initial cross in the garden of his residence. Two years later the four seedlings were rescued from the spades of a garden-cleaning team and established in the nursery at Elsenburg Agricultural College by Prof CJ Theron.

Shiraz
from Cederberg

—————————————————————-

13 ha in 5 blocks

Oldest plantings: 1999 in red slate and Hutton

Youngest plantings: 2004 in red slate and Hutton

First vintage: 2001

International origin: Shiraz is one of the world’s oldest varieties with two obscure ‘parents’, namely Dureza and Mondease blanche. It is known as Syrah in France.

FAQ: What is the origin of Bukettraube?

Over the past few years Cederberg Private Cellar has collected bits of information from colleagues and internet sites regarding the origin of Bukettraube.

Websites are often misleading when it comes to Bukettraube, with information often being downloaded from Wikipedia, which only in 2010 for the first time placed some information on this variety. Here follows the latest and most up-to-date facts about Bukettraube that we have compiled with the assistance of Anna Schneider (Italy) and Thiery Lacombe (INRA, France), among others.

Bukettraube (synonyms: Bukettrebe, Buket, Bouquettraube, Bocksbeutel [this mostly refers to a flat bottle-shape], Bouquet blanc (Portuguese), Buketriesling, Würzburger [Würzberg is also a town]) is a seedling that was selected by the winegrower Sebastian Englert (1804–1880). This happened in about 1860 in the Randersacker municipality in the Lower Franconia district (near Würzburg – Franken). Franconia is a wine region in the northern parts of the modern state of Bavaria.

Bukettraube is a cross between Sylvaner B and Frankenthaler. This is what Thierry Lacombe (INRA, France) wrote to us in August 2010: ‘In 2007, our lab (INRA Montpellier) discovered the true parents of this cultivar: it is a cross between Sylvaner and Frankenthal (= Trollinger = Schiva grossa). The cross was done in Germany in the 19th century’.

Bukettraube is registered as a cultivar in Germany, France, Spain (Pènedes, Catalonia) and South Africa, but rumour has it that Italy, Hungary and Zimbabwe have also planted the cultivar in the past. In 1853 Bukettraube was planted in Zell. During 1958, 10 ha of Bukettraube could still be found in France. Today there is a small possibility that 9 ha could be found in the Alsace region (Grand Cru vineyards [lieu dits] in the Bas-Rhin or Haut-Rhin). It is not a requirement to mention Bukettraube on the labels of AOC wines from Alsace, but it may be included in blends.

The skin of the Bukettraube grape is a little bit thinner, therefore it is more sensitive to oidium. In Europe the dates of budburst and of maturity are quite similar to that of Riesling (Rhein Riesling). Bunches are sensitive to Botrytis cinerea. It matures relatively early with good sugar and acid levels and is prized for the aromatic note it can bring to blends. It also makes well-balanced medium-dry varietals.

Today only four South African farms still make Bukettraube. During 1999 SAWIS reported 332 ha of Bukettraube vines in South Africa, but by 2009 only 76 ha remained. Cederberg Private Cellar’s 6,7 ha produces a semi-sweet wine with exotic and very delicate floral and fruit salad aromas, with hints of honey/dried peaches and ripe muscat. The wine is a great partner to curries, spiced poultry and blue cheese, or can be enjoyed nicely chilled while the sun is setting.

*** Cederberg Private Cellar is desperately looking for colleagues and farmers anywhere in the world to help us find out more about this cultivar.

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  • Joan Willies
    September 23, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    Just read about the fantastic GhostCorner Semillon and Five Generations Chenin Blanc On John and Lynne Ford’s weekly news letter.Fantastic. well done. we are all so proud of our wonderful local wines!!
    May we have price lists for these two ranges? Many thanks Saint du Barrys.

    Reply

  • Eddie Kirsten
    August 31, 2011 at 1:08 pm

    Congratulations on winning yet another trophy, this time, the young wine competition for your excellent 2011 Sauvignon Blanc. It seems as if every year is a good year for Cederberg.

    Reply

  • Eugene van Tonder
    July 23, 2011 at 11:06 am

    Given your terroir , I just can’t wait for your Pinot Noir! You will have to plant more than 1 ha.
    Really like your wines.

    Reply

  • alex
    July 1, 2011 at 2:57 pm

    Do you have any outlets selling your wines in the Durban area ?

    Reply

    • admin
      July 4, 2011 at 5:45 pm

      Dear Alex,
      Yes there are outlets in Durban that stock our wines. Buxtons Liquers and La Cave Liquers in La Lucia, Marriott Gardens Liquers in Berea and La Vineyard in Umlanga. Please feel free to contact them.
      regards,
      Jaco


  • Ronell Myburgh
    July 1, 2011 at 11:43 am

    Goodday
    I hope you can perhaps assist? I am looking for Cederberg Rooibos Schnaps. Do they still make it. We had some in our bar, which was given to our CEO as a present a while ago. We want to replace it, do we find it at a bottle store.

    Your website is stunning!

    Reply

    • admin
      July 4, 2011 at 5:47 pm

      Goodday Ronell, We don’t sell it here on the farm. I think Rooibos company in Clanwilliam might produce it. Their telephone number is 027 482 2155. Good luck.
      Regards,
      Jaco


    • admin
      July 13, 2011 at 12:58 pm

      Hallo Ronell

      Dankie vir die kompliment.

      Ek onthou nog goed die dae toe ek as die Clanwilliam toerismebeampte
      alkoholiese rooibos dranke na uitstallings geneem het. Gedurende die
      laat tagtigs was daar twee dranke op die mark – ‘n likeur en ‘n
      schnapps.
      Gerda de Wet of haar assistent by die Rooibostee Hoofkantoor sal jou
      met graagte raadgee en sal dit lekker wees om met hulle te gesels om
      te hoor wat deserdae aangaan betreffend die likeurs en schnapps, want
      ek weet beide die waarmee ons destyds gewerk het, bestaan nie meer nie.

      Skakel Gerda by 027 – 482 2155

      Pieter


  • stefaan soenen
    February 15, 2011 at 10:22 am

    Hello

    My name is Stefaan Soenen. I am a sommelier and I will conducting a tasting in two weeks about South African Chenin Blanc. I was amazed to find in the Cederberg Chenin some aroma’s that I usually get in Sauvignon, the grassy, grapefruit type. Did you add some Sauvignon to this wine or is it the Chenin that made this happen? I read about a research that found some evidence that Chenin is the genetical mother of the Sauvignon, may be this wine is pointing to thus relationship?
    Thank you,

    Stefaan Soenen, Leuven, Belgium

    Reply

    • admin
      February 17, 2011 at 12:10 pm

      Beste Stefaan,

      Ek gaan vir jou in Engels skryf, want dan verstaan almal sommer beter. Hierdie stuk het Tammy Turck, een van ons assistent-wynmakers, vanoggend vir my gegee nadat sy en David, ons wynmaker, gepraat het.

      Chenin Blanc harvested on the farm normally come in at about 21 -22 Balling, potential alcohol of 12-13%. The grapes are treated exactly the same as if it were Sauvignon Blanc. In the cellar we work very reductively, this is where we eliminate all oxygen contact to the juice and once it is wine. To achieve this we use a substantial amount of dry ice, frozen carbon dioxide that displaces oxygen as well as carbon dioxide gas. In addition we use ascorbic acid along with sulphur dioxide, which prevents the oxidation of the juice and removes any oxygen present in the juice.

      This reductive style winemaking results in a very aromatic wine, such as the Sauvignon Blanc that we make. We use very aromatic yeast (Vin 13) to ferment the Chenin Blanc juice, which creates more tropical and citrus notes on nose. The greenness that one may be pick up in the Chenin that could be mistaken for Sauvignon Blanc is mainly due to the reductive style and picking grapes not too ripe. In addition, once the Chenin Blanc is finished with fermentation, it ages for about 4-5 months on its own lees (layer of dead yeast cells) as well as Sauvignon Blanc lees. This may be another factor that creates the fresher style Chenin Blanc.

      Finally, the Cederberg Chenin Blanc is unwooded, dry white. It is very common to find the riper style (picked at higher balling-13-14%Alc) Chenin Blanc with either a touch of wood or that has aged in barrels for a few months. This results in a bigger, fatter, creamier style Chenin Blanc with more tropical/riper notes on the nose. I hope this explains why it seems like the Cederberg Chenin Blanc may have some similar characteristics to Sauvignon Blanc. Cederberg Private Cellar has been making this style Chenin Blanc since 1997.

      GROETE
      Pieter


  • Kathy Stocks
    December 23, 2010 at 10:12 am

    Can we order wine from the farm? If so please e-mail a list of wines and prices to me.
    Thank you
    Kathy

    Reply

  • Karin Bromberger
    December 6, 2010 at 9:58 pm

    I suffer from an allergy to sulphur and I’ve had to almost give up having a glass of wine for supper. I’ve been told, by some friends, that your wines have less sulphur than many other local wines because they do not have as high an alcohol content as most South African wines. Is this true? I cannot find any prices for your wines. Could you advise me whether the sulphur story is true and where I could buy some of your wines to try. I live in Cape Town

    Reply

    • admin
      December 8, 2010 at 10:27 pm

      Dear Karin,

      Alcohol and sulphur are two different things, but I’ve been told the higher the alcohol the less sulphur is needed, but this is a very loose statement. Alcohol is a preservative.

      Indeed we have less sulphur, but we do sulphur dusting (read on our terroir page what we say about sulphur!). I have become a bit of a pain when it comes to these things. Take note of your yellow cheese, tinned food, wheat and juice intake. Also take note that often, but surely not always, bulk wine production tends to have more sulphur …

      You can buy our wines at places like Wine Concepts, Carolines, Vaughan Johnson, but rather write to me and tell me where you live and which wines you like and I’ll guide you to your local shop round the corner because there are many that I am not mentioning. pieter@cederbergwine.com

      Pieter

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