The super quality of Bonnievale Wines in the Robertson Wine Valley has again been recognised in a national competition, this time at the recent 2016 Sommeliers Selection. Bonnievale Wines was among only a handful of producers to have more than two wines included in the renowned listings.
Wines entered into the competition are tasted blind by a group of experienced members of the South African Sommeliers Association (SASA). Entries are evaluated according to their food appropriateness and gastronomical relevance while the judges also look at stylistic approach, regionality and price points.
“It’s wonderful to see our wines recognised in ways that we’ve always known they should be,” says Bonnievale Wines chief winemaker Marthinus Rademeyer. “Every day we gain loyal followers who have come to appreciate the exceptional value of our wine offering. The extent of our vineyards and diversity of terroir gives the winemaking team a broad palette to work from in making excellent wine for every occasion.”
The Bonnievale Wines selected for the Sommeliers Selection were the Bonnievale Merlot 2015, Bonnievale Sauvignon Blanc 2016 and Bonnievale Shiraz 2014.
“Having the champion wines come from three consecutive harvests is very pertinent and demonstrates that golden thread of consistent quality that runs through all Bonnievale Wines,” says Rademeyer.
The Sommeliers Selection’s winning wines will be listed on the competition’s own wine list, which is distributed countrywide to trade and restaurants. All these wines carry the Sommeliers Selection seal of approval, indicated by a gold sticker and necktag.
The awards follow the achievements of Bonnievale Wines at the South African Women’s Wine Awards, where it claimed no less than four Gold medals.
In spite of this record, Bonnievale Wines remains well-known as an unpretentious producer of delightful wines that consistently exceed expectations. Winemakers are able to select the best grapes from a large expanse of vineyards, accessing a diversity of the area’s varied terroir. Prominent influences in the wines come from the area’s proximity to the ocean and it’s two rivers - the Breede and Riviersonderend - as well as the micro-climates and various slopes provided by hills and surrounding mountains.
Only the very best of each vintage is bottled; each an ambassador for the beautiful valley that produces them. Evocative of an easily elegant country lifestyle, the wines invite wine-lovers to become part of the real-life stories of the people rooted here.
Bonnievale Wines is located off the N2, some 20km from Riviersonderend and near the eponymous village founded at the turn of the 19th century by visionary Scotsman Christopher Forrest Rigg. Rigg saw potential in the then semi-arid valley on the banks of the Breede River and used most of his personal resources and all of his persuasive ability to sell the idea to like-minded pioneers and people seeking their fortune in the aftermath of the Gold Rush. He oversaw the construction of an irrigation canal that helped unlock the agricultural potential of the rich soils and still provides most of the town’s water to this day.
More about Sommeliers Selection wines
The Bonnievale Merlot 2015 is a medium to full-bodied style red wine with rich berry flavours and a touch of vanilla and mocha. Handpicked grapes were vinified with a portion of the wine aged for 12 months in second and third-fill French and American oak barrels. Enjoyable on its own, it also pairs well with creamy pastas, game and red meat dishes.
The Bonnievale Sauvignon Blanc 2016 is a medium-bodied wine with typical Sauvignon blanc character: crisp, fresh with tropical fruitiness. The grapes were handpicked while added development of the wine during vinification came from four months of contact with the lees. The wine is best enjoyed chilled, on its own or with seafood, especially sushi.
Elegant and complex, the Bonnievale Shiraz 2014 is full-bodied with an aroma of spice, chocolate and toffee. The palate has silky tannins and concludes in a lingering finish. Here too, the grapes were handpicked. After undergoing cold maceration on skins for 24 hours, fermentation followed over four to five days. Half the wine was aged for 12 months in 2nd and 3rd fill French and American oak barrels. Savour on its own or enjoy with rich and creamy dishes, as well as red meat, especially lamb stew, and game.
Purchase these wines online, at www.bonnievalewines.co.za; or at the cellar. Stay in touch with Bonnievale Wines: sign up for our newsletter; find us on Facebook; or follow us on twitter (@bonnievalewines) and Instagram (@bonnievalewines). Contact Bonnievale Wines on +27.23 616 2795, +27.23 616 2800 or email: info@bonnievalewines.co.za.