The Dome story begins with the 2015 vintage of the Dome Chardonnay, crafted to meet a bespoke order from the USA. Based on the overwhelmingly positive response to the wine, the Chardonnay was released in South Africa and production had more than doubled by the release of the 2017 vintage.
“Witnessing this phenomenal growth in demand we knew something was happening here,” says Koos Jordaan, GM of Lourensford. “We again had to double production for the 2018 vintage, which has already sold out, and the 2019 vintage is still in the barrel. It is one of our stars and we have seen growing interest from other countries to buy the wines.
Lourensford expanded the Dome range with the launch of the Dome Pinot noir in 2018 and like the Dome Chardonnay, this wine immediately hit the sweet spot in terms of the wine drinker’s palate thanks to its excellent balance of fruit and wood. Regarded as good value for money, the range hits the pricing sweet spot too – the Dome Chardonnay sells for R135 ex cellar and the Dome Pinot Noir for R170.
The Dome label also seems to appeals to wine lovers. “The wine drinking public love the distinctive label and the fact that the Dome name refers to an actual mountain peak of the Helderberg range overlooking our vineyards,” says Cellarmaster Hannes Nel, who believes The Dome Ethel will hit the same sweet-spots.
When asked about Lourensford’s choice to add a Bordeaux blend to the popular range, Nel said: “We made every effort to make an accessible wine which over delivers in terms of enjoyment and value for money, so it simply made sense that it be part of our Dome range.”
“The deep, dark wine is complex with a refreshing acidity supported by soft, smooth tannins. Expect to be greeted by flavours of blackberry and mulberry on the nose, with tea leaf undertones and a lovely elegance on the palate,” adds Nel.
The Dome Ethel is named after Ethel Olympe Baxter, the daughter of JW Jagger, who owned Lourensford from 1913 – 1930. A philanthropist, pioneer, musician and nature lover – Ethel lived an energetic life enjoying horse riding and mountaineering, often climbing the Helderberg Dome. With a particular interest in child welfare, she made a difference to many communities including Lourensford where she instituted nursing care clinic for farm children. She was chairwoman of the Child Welfare Society in Cape Town, actively supported the Girl Guide movement and was one of the originators of the Lady Buxton Home in Claremont.
The Dome Ethel is available for R210 from the Lourensford tasting room which is open Monday to Sunday 9am until 5pm.
Visit lourensford.co.za or call (021) 847 2300 for more information. You can also join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.