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Fynbos Estate produces about 100 tonnes of grapes each year, about
half of which is delivered to Swartland Winery. The remainder we use
ourselves to produce small quantities of handcrafted wines under
the DRAGONRIDGE
label. The name Dragonridge was chosen because one of
the mountains on the farm resembles a sleeping dragon and is named
Dragonridge. We also like the connotation of potency and magic.
History
Our first wine
(about 1700 bottles) was made in 2004 assisted by plenty of excited
helpers. Feedback was excellent and in a short time the wine sold
out. In 2005 we expanded our winery and bought a bottler, barrels
and additional fermentation tanks, and in 2007 made 6,000 bottles
for release in 2008. In 2008 we made about 10000 bottles. This
quantity we hope to double over the next few years.
The
Dragonridge Philosophy
The
Dragonridge philosophy is simple. Make wines that express the unique
soils and microclimate of the farm in a way as close as possible to
that of the early 1900s. This means unirrigated vineyards that are
pruned and suckered to produce small yields of grapes with
concentrated flavours. This in turn allows minimal use of sulphur,
vinification with minimal interference and wherever possible, doing
away with
filtration. Our wines are released quite young, and because we press
them relatively lightly, (450 litres per tonne vs.740 litres per
tonne as in a commercial winery) our wines are unaggressive even
when young, but reward cellaring.
Wines
We
make two reds: a SANGIOVESE and JACK’S RED, a Pinotage/Shiraz/Mourvedre/Cabernet
blend (our version of a Cape Blend). Our white is GALAXY, a blend of
Chenin Blanc/ Chardonnay and Viognier, and we also make a dry rosé
called COSMOS.
Wine Events
In
August we hold an
OPEN DAY at which released wines can be tasted and
various products are sold at stalls. All are welcome and lunch
bookings can be made in advance. The
date for 2008 is 2 August.
During harvest,
WINE
MAKING GETAWAYS have been a great success and will
be repeated each year. Here groups or individuals book a weekend
of hands-on wine making experience from picking to bottling, and
enjoy all the benefits of comfortable accommodation and delicious
food. Winemaking Getaways have worked wonderfully as
TEAM BUILDING
events and from 2009 we are offering day events for this purpose.
By
arrangement throughout the year we offer WINE TASTING GETAWAYS as
day or overnight events. Here guests can enjoy wine tastings on the
farm of Dragonridge Wines as will as the wines of similar small
wineries in the area. A tour of larger wineries in the district can
also be arranged. Meals and overnight accommodation are included.
.Would you like
to participate in a wine-making weekend or day at Fynbos from late
January to mid-March 2009?
Contact
Fynbos
to book your
place |
