Our winery team is bubbling away with excitement as they get ready to launch our very first (2023) vintage of the highly anticipated Mont Rochelle Cap Classique Brut in the next 24 - 28 months.
Last year, our winemaker, Michael Langenhoven (pictured below), told us about his future plans to have Mont Rochelle recognised as an internationally renowned bespoke wine brand and start Mont Rochelle's own Cap Classique wine (sparkling wine) in 2023.
Methode Cap Classique (MCC) is the name given to premium South African sparkling wines that have been made using traditional methods and we are thrilled to see this dream starting to come alive at our winery.
Michael says, "The birth of this wine is truly very special for me as I am very passionate about Cap Classique wines. It is a symbol of celebration and enjoying life with friends and family. I will always be in pursuit of finding the perfect bubble in our Mont Rochelle Cap Classique!"
The wine of origin will be Franschhoek and the blend will consist of about 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. The wine will undergo its second fermentation in bottle and be left on the lees for at least 24 months to gain complexity and finesse.
Michael continues, "I have decided to go for this style and origin, because the Franschhoek terroir is extremely well suited for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to produce world-class Cap Classique wines."
The Chardonnay brings a delicate fragrance, along with floral, butter and citrus notes. It adds racy acidity and structure to a blend. The Pinot Noir adds body and backbone to the blend with lovely aromas of red berries. It also gives a mouth-filling, structural texture to the blend.
The Pinot Noir grapes for the Cap Classique were harvested at the end of January 2023 and the Chardonnay grapes are nearing harvesting mid February, so stay tuned for more updates about this exciting new bubbly.
Mont Rochelle is open throughout the year for wine tastings and cellar tours. We are also one of the stops on the famous Franschhoek Wine Tram.
To learn more or buy our award-winning wines click here.