New vintage release: 2022 Glass Collection reds out now
Every new vintage release is a chance to travel back in time and look at what shaped the wine.
The 2022 season on the Simonsberg was not the easiest year. A cool, dry start pushed bud break back by a week, spring brought persistent low temperatures and substantial rainfall that made flowering tricky, and then January and February turned hot and dry almost overnight. Yields were modest, but careful picking produced wines of exceptional quality.
The Glass Collection 2022 red wines are now available. The Cabernet Sauvignon is classic Stellenbosch: blackcurrant, a touch of leafiness, lively acidity and refined tannins. Tim Atkin gave it 92 points, James Suckling 91. The Cabernet Franc, always a favourite from this range, is deep and inky with dried herbs, fynbos, dark cherries and a long smooth finish — 92 points from Tim Atkin, and only 8,700 bottles made. The Merlot rounds out the collection with dark fruit, chocolate, a hint of spiced plum and a generous palate that's ready to drink now.
Available online now.
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The Glass Collection origin story
The Glass Collection range takes its name from Madame May de Lencquesaing's lifelong passion for glass art. The pieces on the labels are actual works from her personal collection, housed in the Glass Museum at Glenelly Estate.
She began collecting in 1981 and established her first museum at Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Bordeaux, building what became one of the largest private collections of hand-blown glass in France. That collection now lives at Glenelly.
Spanning 2,000 years of history, the museum presents 600 exceptional pieces from Bohemia, Venice, France, England and Sweden. From Roman antiquity through to Art Nouveau and Art Deco icons by Daum, Lalique, Gallé and Tiffany, and contemporary works by Lino Tagliapietra, Salvador Dalí and Jean-Claude Novarro. It is, by any measure, a remarkable thing to find on a wine estate in Stellenbosch.
The Glass Museum is open to visitors during estate hours.
Visit the Glass Museum
Glenelly in London
A warm PIWOSA reunion
Dirk van Zyl is back on African soil after a week in London with our PIWOSA partners. It was the first time all ten members and Wino the Rhino (with a fresh new look) have been together in the UK since 2014.
"Extreme heatwave and all, it was a good week in London. South Africa is strongest when we work together to showcase the range of our wines," says Dirk. "The feedback from trade and consumers was overwhelmingly positive."
Good to have him home.
As seen in Die Burger
Enjoy the creativity of winemakers' red blends
Winnie Bowman's recent article in Die Burger featured Dirk van Zyl alongside some of South Africa's most respected winemakers, each sharing their philosophy on red blending and what makes a great blend worth making.
For our non-Afrikaans readers, here's what Dirk had to say: "This wine was born from our owner, Madame May de Lencquesaing's belief that Stellenbosch could produce Bordeaux-style blends that stand proudly alongside the finest wines of Bordeaux. Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, from our cooler southeast-facing slopes. This wine represents the best of Glenelly and the vintage. A wine that truly captures time and place."
Open a bottle of your favourite red blend and enjoy the read.
Read the full article
Winter menu: Taste the season at The Vine Bistro
The Vine Bistro's winter menu is here, and it's exactly what the season calls for. Chef patron Christophe Dehosse and his team lean into the French classics. Think traditional Toulouse-style cassoulet with pork belly, duck confit, and pork sausage, a bavette à l'échalote with chips, and a proper soupe à l'oignon au gratin to start. Our chou farci (pictured above), braised pork stuffed cabbage with sauerkraut and wholegrain mustard, is just one of the highlights on the menu.
Two courses with wine pairing from R410, three courses from R450.
Reservations: 021 809 6444 | bistro@glenelly.co.za
Click HERE to view the menu.
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Upcoming events with Glenelly Estate
25 July - 2 August: Wine Town Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch's week-long celebration of wine and wine culture is back, with the Stellenbosch Wine Festival taking place at the Town Hall on Friday 31 July (17h00 to 21h00) and Saturday 1 August (14h00 to 18h00). Glenelly will be pouring — come and find us.
Buy tickets
30 July: Caroline's Red Wine Review
The Lady May 2021 will be shown at Caroline's Red Wine Review, an exhibition of 100 of South Africa's most prestigious red wines, held at The Business Lounge, 4th Floor, DHL Stadium, Green Point, Cape Town from 17h00 to 21h00. Dirk van Zyl will be there in person to pour and talk you through the wine.
Buy tickets