" We don't sell the wine without touching the vine "
Wine from Short Street
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Situated at the very heart of South Africa’s Swartland wine region, Short Street is the shortest street in the Riebeek Valley. The street is small, but full of life – you’ll find gourmet fare, fresh produce, artisans, music and more. The vibrancy of Short Street is captured in these classic W.O. Swartland wines.
Varietals Produced: Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinotage, Shiraz
Winemaker: Alecia Boshoff & Eric Saayman
UNIQUE TERROIR
The Swartland is a rugged place of untamed beauty and unique, distinctive terroir.
The terroir of the Riebeek Valley is mainly affected by a Mediterranean climate and diverse, prehistoric Sandstone and Shale soils from the majestic Kasteelberg Mountain. Both significantly influence the style and quality of our wines.
Average age of the vines is 12 years. Oldest are 47 year old bush-vines.
The vineyards are situated at heights that vary from 60m to 300m above sea level, against the slopes and foothills of the Kasteelberg Mountain. Because of the topography, the soils offer rich diversity, including: Oakleaf and Dundee alluvial soil from the sediment of die Berg River and Swartland and Glenrosa soils from underlying shale along the Kasteelberg Mountain.
Rainfall occurs during winter months with enough cold units to ensure a proper rest phase for the vines before bud-break in early September. The summers are intensely hot and dry with some cooling westerly winds that are ideal conditions for producing fine white and red wines.
A low bearing region with limited irrigation, our key vineyards are still farmed as either dry land farms, or with some supplementary irrigation to help the crop to optimum ripeness. The soils and dry land conditions have proved ideal for bush vine (un-trellised) vineyards. The dry land conditions result in small berries with layered flavour, near perfect colour and soft tannin structures that deliver fruit-driven, expressive wines for the novice and connoisseur alike.
The Riebeek Valley supports a great diversity of varietals that florish here but it is their exceptional Chenin Blanc, Shiraz & Pinotage that shows the best of what the Swartland terroir can do.
The wine team, including a full-time viticulturist, works with our grape growers to sustainably develop varietals and sites that best translates the Swartland terroir. Using only free-run juice from the finest grapes, a passionate wine team craft clean, crisp, well-made wines that are true-to-type with focussed fruit and great purity.
ALECIA BOSHOFF: WINEMAKER & HEAD OF PRODUCTION
“I firmly believe that the specific character of each wine has its origin in the vineyard and therefore my goal is to express the uniqueness of our terroir in each glass of wine. Understanding and harnessing the diversified terroir of the Kasteelberg Mountain and the individuality of each vintage guides me in creating special wines rather than blindly following fixed recipes.”
ERIC SAAYMAN: SENIOR WINEMAKER
“Innovative technology and modern cellar equipment enables me to produce wines that boast sought after titles and prestigious awards. Wine lovers are invited to experience the fruit of our wines and to enjoy true Swartland hospitality.”
THARIEN HANSEN: VITICULTURIST
“Essentially the winemaking process begins in the vineyard as winemakers can only make superior wines from quality grapes. Such grapes are only produced when terroir and sustainable vineyard practices are unified. We partner closely with our wine grape growers to ensure that we get the best from our vineyards and preserve this unique terroir for generations to come. It’s all about respecting what we have, and being passionate and considerate in what we do with it. ”.
THEMBILE NTLOKO & WOUTER LOUBSER: Assistant winemakers.
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Nickel & Nickel Truchard Vineyard Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
The 2023 Nickel & Nickel Truchard Chardonnay opens with enticing aromatics of tropical fruit, tangerine, and a hint of honeysuckle. On the palate, it presents a bright and vibrant profile, with a natural lift from its fresh fruit flavors and lively acidity. The tropical and citrus notes are complemented by a subtle brioche character, while the oak imparts a pleasant roundness, bringing balance and weight to the wine.
Review:
The freshness and pure fruit flavors of this generous wine ring clear as a bell. Crisp green apples, Bosc pears and subtle oak spices like vanilla bean and toasted almonds fill the palate. While medium-bodied, it feels full and generous and has a lingering finish. Drink now or hold.
-James Suckling 94 Points
Winemaker Joe Harden ages his Truchard Vineyard Chardonnay for 10 months in 30% new French oak, with minimal stirring and no malolactic fermentation, allowing for a slightly more pronounced oak presence. Truchard, one of Carneros' most esteemed sites, is characterised by rolling hills with ideal sun exposure and cooling breezes. Harden sources fruit from eight distinct blocks across the vineyard’s expansive 109 hectares, with harvests spanning roughly a month. Among the selections is Clone 809, a Muscat clone that adds floral aromatics and a touch of baking spice. The Truchard Chardonnay exhibits a silky texture on the palate, layered with citrus peel and tropical hints of apricot and peach. A rich spine of acidity is further heightened by vivid mineral tension, creating a wine that is both racy and rich. Elegantly balanced, it’s a delightful sipper with impressive depth and vibrancy.
-Decanter 94 Points
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Valery is named for the patron saint of wine in the St. Emilion region that inspired it.
We started with old vine Merlot from a stony block in the heart of the Yakima Valley and added complex, aromatic Cabernet Franc from the Horse Heaven Hills. The result is a balanced, complex wine with the elegance and ethereal perfume that this blend of two of Washington’s best varietals are known for.
The nose on this wine is very perfumed, almost exotic with notes of fresh violets, red plum, winter mint, fresh herbs and crushed limestone qualities. The palate is poised and balanced, with red fruits and mocha powder encapsulated in limestone. The finish lingers delicately, with the Cabernet Franc asserting a light tobacco and herb note, giving depth. A compelling wine that will continue to unwind for 7-10 years in the cellar.
Review:
The really good 2023 Avennia ‘Valery’ is nearly all Merlot (90%) with the remainder Cabernet Franc. It is big and bold with terrific freshness and mid-palate depth. Black tea and exotic spices fill the nose with shades of orange bell pepper and heady dark fruits, with dark chocolate shavings. Lush and ripe on the mouth, this exhibits terrific length and underlying tension. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2026-2042-
-Owen Bargreen 95 Points
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