At Neethlingshof Wine Estate, the unique one-kilometer pine avenue which greets visitors is a fitting prelude to the delights which await visitors on the estate. Here, since 1692, winemakers have unhurriedly worked at perfecting their craft, working in quiet harmony with nature.
Neethlingshof has a long and rich tradition of winemaking in Stellenbosch. The estate occupies a privileged site with ideal natural conditions, soils, slopes, altitudes, and climate to produce a variety of great wines. All the grapes for the Neethlingshof wines are grown on the estate and all the wine is made, matured, and bottled in its cellar, adhering to strict vegan guidelines during the entire farming and winemaking process.
Neethlingshof’s head winemaker is Mika Engelbrecht. The young winemaker, who recently made WineLand Magazine's prestigious 30 Under 30 list, is passionate about winemaking, sustainability, and conservation and she loves working with different cultivars.
Wildlife conservation is incredibly important for Neethlingshof. Since 2003, they intensified their biodiversity-oriented strategy to create a balance between farming and the natural world and, because of their continued efforts, they were awarded WWF Conservation Champion status in 2009.
They are actively promoting the return of original renosterveld in areas where vines used to grow. As a result, natural food chains have been recreated by leaving corridors of natural vegetation between newly established vineyards.
Insects and small animals move freely between the vineyard blocks. The insects help to control pests in the vineyards. But, to keep the insect numbers in check, guinea fowl were introduced. The undisturbed wooded areas attracted caracal which prey on guinea fowl. Snakes and owls on the farm help control rodents.
These natural food chains reduce the use of pesticides and other chemical aids needed to protect the vineyards.
In celebration of their conservation successes, Neethlingshof released a portfolio of reserve wine that embodies the story behind their practices: The Short Story Collection. This portfolio was born with their Owl Post Pinotage.
The Owl Post Pinotage was inspired by the estate’s pest management programme: Neethlingshof strategically placed owl boxes around the estate to attract these nocturnal birds to their vineyards. The owls, in turn, help to keep the rodent population under control. This makes for a much more environmentally friendly way of handling pest control, reducing their dependence on pesticides.
The bottle’s label design draws attention to the rich and varied narratives of the estate’s pest management programme using strategically placed owl boxes.
Neethlingshof The Owl Post Pinotage 2021 has aromas of black plum, raspberry, mulberry, and dark chocolate, with subtle white pepper and smoke. On the palate, there are deep and enticing flavours of black plum and cherry with undertones of mocha and toasted coconut. The finish is long, structured, and earthy with layers of complexity.
This wine continually does exceptionally well at local and international wine competitions. The 2021 vintage was awarded 94 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards and 91 points at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).
The Owl Post Pinotage 2021 is available for purchase via our online shop, tastewine.co.za.
This article originally appeared on Cape Tourism, as part of a collaboration with wine.co.za.
