Spioenkop 1900 Sauvignon Blanc

Until less than a century ago, human history was, in essence, the story of human beings settling their differences on battlefields. This was the general tone that shaped the global political order around the world. South Africa was just the same. One of the bloodiest conflicts was between the Boers (settlers) and the British. Of all the battles that were fought, Spioenkop (Spy Hill) is known among the colonists as an epic defeat, against all odds, of an English army that was greater in means and numbers. In honour of this feat, Koen and Lore Roose, a Belgian couple who settled in the beautiful Elgin Valley in 2007, named their wine project Spioenkop. This winery has imported a European vision of minimal intervention to achieve the best expression of the unique terroirs of the Western Cape South Coast.

One of their wines is Spioenkop 1900 Sauvignon Blanc, a single-variety Sauvignon Blanc which, named after the year this famous battle was fought, reflects the estate’s schist and iron-rich terroir. Cultivated using respectful agriculture, once the grapes reach optimum ripeness, they are taken to the winery, destemmed and crushed to spend 4 hours with their skins. The resulting must ferments in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature. Finally, the wine ages on its fine lees in French barrels.

Spioenkop 1900 Sauvignon Blanc is part of the winery’s more alternative range. A rich and fruity single-variety wine that faithfully expresses the heart of the Elgin Valley, whilst also maintaining all the elegance of the Sauvignon Blanc.