The Stables Wine Estate Media Release

 No: Stables0606

30 Oct 2006

Nottingham Road – The Stables Wine Estate has taken a bold stride forward with the acquisition of new vineyards that has quadrupled their capacity to produce KZN wines of origin.

The Stables winemakers Tiny and Judy van Niekerk have concluded a long-term lease of 19 hectares of vineyards from the Bracken Forestry farm near Greytown, to supplement the five hectares currently under vine at their estate outside Nottingham Road.

The grapes currently being produced at the Greytown farm include Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Merlot, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, all of which were planted in 2001, and Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc added in 2002.

This compliments the stock of Pinot Noir, Pinotage, Chardonnay, Wiesser Riesling, Viognier, Tannat and Nouvelle currently established at The Stables.

“We will focus on producing KZN's first ever “Method” Champagne, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, Pinotage Clariet, Shiraz and Merlot,” said Judy van Niekerk.

“In fact in 2008 we will produce KZN's first ever Bordeaux Blend - using Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot,” Van Niekerk added.

The Stables will manage the new vineyards under the guidance of Diederik La Grange, their recently acquired viticulturist.

“We are over the moon to have this opportunity so soon!” said Van Niekerk. “It is also somewhat daunting as well as we have gone from the initial three to five with this years planting on the estate, to the current 23 hectares of  vineyard, of which 15 are producing,” Van Niekerk added.

“We are passionate about producing quality wines entirely from KwaZulu-natal soil, and we are now in a position where we will be able to produce all of our wine from KZN stock.”

The Stables Wine Estate won the pioneering first-ever KZN Wine of Origin certification for their Pinotage Clariet, following their efforts to get the province recognised as a fully-fledged wine of origin region. This wine was made from grapes grown on the Bracken Hill farm in Greytown.

They also recently released the provinces first sparkling wine, a fruity product called Balgowan Bubbly, which was launched at their recent Vine Budding Festival.

The critically different climate and terrior has resulted in a range of wines that are full, driven by strong fruit elements with soft tannins. The Van Niekerks are eager to drive wine to a broader market and to make wine accessible by making it fun and casual rather than an elite indulgence.

ENDS

Russell Peach/
Gameplan Media