The grapes are grown in one of the coolest grape growing areas in South Africa at an altitude of 580 meters above sea level. This cool climate caused very slow ripening of the grapes, resulting in intense fruit flavours. The grapes were harvested at the end of April, which is very late for any location in South Africa. This wine, which is produced as wine of Origin Outeniqua, is aged in French oak barrels for 10 months before bottling. According to winemaker Boets Nel the wine displays beautiful complex pepper and spice flavours, with intense red berry flavours. This fruit is in perfect balance with rich vanilla aromas from the wood maturation. This Shiraz was also selected="true"="true" as the Champion Shiraz at the 2011 Klein Karoo Young Wine Show. Only two wines are produced under the Garden Route label. Towards the end of 2012 the Garden Route Sauvignon Blanc 2012 was selected="true"="true" as one of the Top 10 Sauvignon Blanc wines in Bartho Eksteen's annual Sauvignon Blanc Celebration, reaffirming the excellent climate conditions in the Waboomskraal Valley. The 2012 Sauvignon Blanc is already sold out, but the 2013 vintage will be available by mid-July. For any inquiries on the Garden Route wines, contact De Krans Wine Cellar (where the wines are produced) at email dekrans@mweb.co.za or phone 044 213 3314.