AYAMA Wine founders and proud Italian owners of Slent Farm, Michela and Attilio Dalpiaz, have brought a true taste of Italy to our South African soils. Being the very first Vermentino to be grown and harvested in South Africa, the Italian couple, with a serious love for viniculture, have seen their dreams come true. The first official South African Vermentino harvest took place in 2016, accruing incredible local and international uptake.
The second batch of Vermentino has now been harvested, bottled and has been released on Mandela Day, 18th of July 2018. Green almond, pear, white peach, lime and pink grapefruit zest with subtle notes of crushed rock minerality and saltiness best describes a glass of classic Sardinia Vermentino.
“It is always a heart-warming moment when you can finally announce your wine is available for many to buy and enjoy. This is the second vintage of Ayama Vermentino and it has been aging for more than a year in barrels,” says Michela. “We wanted the wine to be perfectly balanced before sealing its flavours into the beautiful bottle.”
The 2017 vintage is limited with only 5 350 750ml bottles, 100 magnums, 24 double magnums and 12 jeroboams available, each labelled nursed with love and labelled by hand, many already sold at auction and making their way to their final destination across the globe.
After six long years of propagation in quarantine, 2014 saw the first hectare comprising 3360 vines of Vermentino di Gallura finally certified and released from the nursery for planting at AYAMA. This historical year also signified a decade of memories for the Dalpiaz family, celebrating 10 years of living in South Africa.
“We are extremely proud of this wine. Tasting richer and more exotic than last year. It is an exemplary of how the South African soul and climate can be generous to new varieties introduced by passioned viticulturist and winemakers,” says Michela.
Taking into account the growing conditions of Vermentino in Sardinia, the rocky granitic outcrop and dry drained soils, surrounded by the Tyrrhenian sea, being accompanied by salty winds, the Voor Paardeberg Region proved to be geographically suited for this vigorous grower. The Voor Paardeberg Area has long and warm summers with little rainfall. This unique climate receives prevailing winds from the coast which has a cooling effect on the vineyard.
The Dalpiaz family also have another grape delight about to infiltrate the local market. Carignan, a red grape varietal of Spanish roots, often found in French wine and widely planted throughout the western Mediterranean regions. Both the Vermentino and Carignan are produced in impressive magnum bottles for maximum impact at any celebratory occasion.
Una cena senza vino e come un giorno senza sole - A meal without wine is a day without sunshine.
For updates on the new releases stay tuned to the Slent Farm, Ayama Wine website http://ayama.co.za/our-wines/ - and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AyamaSlent/