“For this Grenache Noir-based blend we used the grapes from 12 different vineyards, picked on 15 days during the vintage. Our 2022 Elpidios includes four components that were fermented and matured in concrete vessels – two lots of Grenache Noir, Cinsaut and Syrah. As in previous years, the balance of winemaking up this blend was matured in old 500L neutral French oak barrels as well as our single 4100L foudré (Pinotage), also an old, neutral oak component. The winemaking regime here is mostly the same as for our main Grenache Noir in terms of long, gentle extraction, the use of 40% on average whole bunches and then pressing off. After bottling, the wine was aged in bottle for 18 months before release.

This vintage is again based on grapes grown in granite soils from the Paardeberg, blended with structured shale/schists from the east, clay rich soils from the north, and iron rich soils from the west. The Swartland is known for extremely warm summers with a low average winter rainfall. On the west the Swartland borders on the Atlantic Ocean, and on the east inland by mountain ranges. Due to this location, a large diurnal shift is observed where the average daytime temperatures are much higher than the average night time temperatures. All of our vineyards are however inland and our climate is considered to be Mediterranean.” – Winemaker’s notes

ANALYSIS: ALC 13% | RS 1.9 g/l | TA 5.5 g/l | pH 3.46