Grootepost Salt of the Earth Shiraz Cinsault 2018 75cl

Tasting Note

Producer

The Groote Post Homestead was built in 1808 and has housed numerous notable characters, including Lord Charles Somerset (with it being his only genuie "shooting box", and well-known author Hildagonda Duckitt. The name is derived from its original status as the largest guarding post in the area, set up to protect cattle from stock thieves. 

The farm was bought in 1972 by the Pentz family, third and fourth generation dairymen, and was later combined with the adjoining farm, Klawer Valley, totalling 2800 hectares.

The family identified the best 120 hectares of well-drained clay soils to plant their wine grapes. The are mostly planted on the south-facing upper slopes of the Kapokberg in the Darling hills, which overlook the icy Atlantic Ocean. They carry the philosophy of only using the best of their grapes for their vinification, while selling off the remaining. The deciding to harvest 3 or 4 weeks later than is done a few miles inland has been made due to the effect of the cooling summer winds from the south east.

The initial few years of grape production was sold on to third parties and in 1998 Peter and Nick produced an experimental batch of Sauvignon Blanc which exceeded all expectations. Following this, they decided to fast-track the consrtuction of a cellar in time for the 1999 harvest. This cellar was built in a restored historic fort (guarding post) on the Klawer Valley farm with a clear aim from the Pentz family of maximising the potential of their outstanding terroir and to produce wines of the highest quality.

_{Country: South Africa | Region: Darling, Western Cape | Alcohol: TBC | Grapes: Cinsault, Shiraz}