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Tasting notes:
2007 GALAXY                           This blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier is fermented in French oak, and aged for 8 months in the same second- and third-fill barrels. It is spicy, nutty and warm on the nose, with plenty of fruit to back up these aromas. In the mouth is a fruity continuation of the nose. The alcohol is well-supported in the mouth. The aftertaste is long and delicious.

2007 Sangiovese                     This is a full-bodied red wine. On the nose it is packed with cranberry, cherry and hints of spicy mocha. In the mouth these same flavours persist. It is long in the aftertaste. Dry tannins and acids are quite prominent, but these will not hinder enjoyment or development in bottle. Probably needs at least a year more.

2006 Jack's Red                   Pinotage, Shiraz, Mouvedre, and Cabernet blended to perfection. Dragonridge's version of a Cape blend. Good fruit, a bit of oak supporting the fine dry tannins.

2008 Cosmos                       Our rosé wine. Dry but fruity and quite dark for a rosé. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, with good acid supporting the fruit. Cosmos is more of a summer luncheon red.

Dragonridge Wines         Price List:

2007 Galaxy               R55           2007 Sangiovese     R75          2006 Jack's Red       R45    2008 Cosmos           R35           

 

 

 

 

 
 
Dragonridge Winery
 

 

 

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
 

 

Wine Events 2008/9:

Open Day August 2           Book now limited seats

Wine Tasting Getaways available throughout the year.    Book now

Wine making weekends and day events available from January through to March 2009.      Book now

 

 

 

Do visit the Fynbos website at: www.fynbosestate.co.za

Contact Us:                    Diana & Johan Simons
Fynbos Mountain Retreat
P O Box 526
Malmesbury
Western Cape 7299
South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)2248 71153 

        


Information/Sales:
info@fynbosestate.co.za          . Tel: +27 (0)2248 71153        © Dragonridge Wines 2008