Our Wine of the Week is the Vergelegen Wild Winds Sauvignon Blanc 2024, a refreshing white wine with tropical notes and a mineral undertone.
Founded on 1 February 1700, Vergelegen (meaning “situated far away”) has been under the ownership of some of the world’s great explorers and visionaries, each of whom, in their own way, have helped shape Vergelegen to what it is today: a world-class estate. With Vergelegen’s award-winning wines, a history spanning over 300 years, heritage, exquisite gardens, and cuisine to suit all tastes, it comes as no surprise that Vergelegen Estate continues to be the choice of the discerning visitor seeking a total sensory experience.
Think of Vergelegen to spend quality time with family and friends – wine tasting, environmental and cellar tours, two restaurants, and the seasonal luxury picnic in the camphor forest are only a few of the enjoyable activities at Vergelegen. Vergelegen’s winemaking philosophy is simple: There must be harmony between the old and the new. Their wine portfolio consists of four collections, namely the Heritage, Reserve, Estate, and Icon Ranges.
The Heritage Range is characterised by delightful drinking experiences and wide appeal amoung wine lovers. There are three wines in this collection: Florence Rosé, Wild Winds Sauvignon Blanc, and Mill Race Red Blend. The bottles’ labels are the storytellers of the wine range, each representing a significant place on the estate. The accessible style and versatile nature of each wine embodies Vergelegen’s warm hospitality.
Our Wine of the Week, the Vergelegen Wild Winds Sauvignon Blanc 2024 from the Heritage Range, is an accessible white wine that tells the story of Vergelegen’s terroir. The Sauvignon grapes are sourced from the Schaapenberg and lower Schaapenberg vineyards, the highest on the farm. The vineyards are southerly-facing and overlook False Bay, leading to natural stress conditions due to strong winds. These also keep the vineyards cool and impart a sense of salinity to these wines.
All grapes are hand-picked over an extended period, given the site of the vineyards. They are destemmed in the cellar and undergo a combination of inert and oxidative pressing. The juice is then settled and taken to stainless steel tanks for fermentation, using a variety of yeasts to draw out various characteristics. Regular lees stirring balances the natural high acidity and low PHs. Then they blend, filter and bottle.
Vergelegen Wild Winds Sauvignon Blanc 2024 is a pure, natural expression of Sauvignon Blanc with tropical notes of guava and honeydew melon on the nose. The palate is flinty with excellent acidity and a stylish, long-lasting finish.
As for food pairing, enjoy it with fresh seafood, oysters, or salads.
Wine estate name: Vergelegen Wine Estate
Location: Somerset West, Helderberg, Western Cape
In Collaboration with: wine.co.za
