Situated in the heart of the Durbanville Wine Valley you will find our family-owned and operated wine cellar. Although not intentionally award-driven, there is no denying the status of our Wine of Origin Cape Town, boutique wines. For us, being handmade is more than just a physical process and approach, it is about perfecting the small details along the way while treating each batch of juice with respect throughout its journey from the vine to Nitida wines. It is also about working with nature and thereby ensuring that the wine embodies our attitude and brand.
Nitida embodies devotion, passion and aspiration. Stroll through our cellar, take delight in our wine tastings and dine with us at Cassia Restaurant or Tables at Nitida.
History in the making. How does a small Durbanville property running a flock of 50 sheep, 2 cows and a sheepdog consequently become one of South Africa’s most successful small wine cellars? This type of fairy tale only gets written when a few very special ingredients get blended with a number of happy coincidences. So, what was their Nitida recipe and how did they become part of the Durbanville Wine Valley?
In 1990, they found a beautiful piece of soil, just “to live on” and then started adding some magic ingredients; Peta’s mother, the wonderful “Matriarch” that helped the family finance the farm. They also found a 1971 Ford tractor which they promptly named Pufford; Klaas, who taught them how to milk a cow and chase down sheep and the final, most essential element was energy and wonderful people.
In 1992, Bernhard took a week off work so he, Klaas and Pufford could plant a couple of vineyards. The plan was to only make a few barrels. Three years later, they won their first double-gold Sauvignon Blanc and in 2001 they were recognized as a benchmark Semillon producer.
In 2014, the winemaker Daniel Keulder joined the company from Groot Constantia and became part of our Nitida family!
Now 28 years on, this family owned and run cellar is one of the most consistently awarded and loved boutique wine cellars in South Africa with a host of double gold, gold and silver medals, a few 5 star platters and countless awards and certificates.
Daniel Keulder is the unsung hero of the vineyards. Taking grapes and turning it into award-winning local and international wines. Daniel is a creative mind, that takes inspiration from the terroir, the wild critters living among the vines and the balance in the soil. Daniel prides himself on being part of a team and not the celebrity that does it all on his own. They love this about their winemaker and they believe in his instinct to keep Nitida beautiful and handmade with attitude.
Danie joined the team in December 2014. Coming from 5 years of making wine at Groot Constantia, he brings with him a great love and understanding of working with cool climate grapes. It’s a given that he will continue to make stunning wines with them and perhaps his experience in making craft beer becomes part of their future Nitida culture!
HANDMADE THE NITIDA WAY
At Nitida, “We completely believe that beautiful wines come from day to day thoughtful management in the vineyards.” During harvest at Nitida, although we don’t discount analyses, we pick on the tried and true indicators of flavour and appearance. We pick each bunch of grapes by hand, choosing only the very best for our wines. We inspect our vineyards every day to ensure the leaves, buds and bunches are healthy and to check that the spiders and ladybirds are alive and well.
THE STORY BEHIND THE LABEL
We have won numerous awards for our wine labels and have had big admiration from our friends, but behind all that recognition is an untold story. The story behind our label.
Our labels were not a quick design sketched by an agency and sent off to the printers. No, quite the opposite. We spent months thinking of the best way to incorporate everything Nitida stands for. To capture the essence of the estate, our wine’s unique characters and to give our friends far away a little bit of home.
Our label illustrations were hand drawn using inks made from our Nitida tree leaves. Inspired by protea nitidus in our garden, they also feature local Renosterveld plants and some of the creatures who share the farm with us.
West Coast Renosterveld – Estimated that only three percent of this critically endangered and hugely fragmented vegetation type remains and loss is due to agriculture having taken over these highly nutritive soil areas. Other wild critters include, Cape Eagle Owl, Cape Clawless Otter, the Golden Orb spider, Yellowbilled Duck, Cape Cobra and protea Nitida tree (waboom).
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Avennia Sestina Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc.
The story of this wine - The Sestina is an ancient form of poetry from Medieval France. Just as a modern poet can fill this form with new expressions, Avennia uses the traditional Bordeaux blend to express Washington. Sestina is their vision for an old vine, complex blend where all of the components complement each other. This wine is designed for the cellar, so the emphasis is on structure, balance, and complexity.
Winemaker Tasting Notes - “Good deep ruby/garnet color, with aromas of black cherry, fresh black currant, dark mocha, cigar box, and graphite. The palate is lively and dense with mountain berries, mocha, vanilla honey, damp earth, and wildflowers. The finish shows a distinct chalky minerality and beautiful tension. This is a classically balanced and ageworthy Sestina. Drink 2025-2040.” - Chris Peterson, Winemaker
Review:
"The Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated release from Peterson, the 2017 Sestina comes from the Red Willow, Bacchus, and Dionysus vineyards. Rocking levels of crème de cassis, sappy herbs, violets, and cedar pencil all flow to a full-bodied, incredibly pure, polished 2017 that offers flawless balance, ripe tannins, and a great, great finish. It's more approachable than normal yet is still going to evolve for 15 to 20 years. The blend is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, all raised 20 months in 50% new French oak."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2020), 95 pts
The color is a brilliant straw yellow with a fresh fruit perfumes, especially apple and pear, and floral notes such as elder and bloom. The taste is very fresh and light, with a very interesting acidity. There is an important presence of mineral salts due to the volcanic origin of the soil.
Open pergola Vinification: Destemming, maceration of the grapes in the must for 12 hours, racking and long fermentation at 18 °C
Ideal as aperitif, light main courses such as pasta and risotto, shell fish and fish, soups and vegetables.
Review:
Brilliant emerald straw color. Aromas and flavors of brazil nuts, creme fraiche, and kiwi and starfruit with a silky, lively, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and an effortless, engaging, medium-length watermelon, yellow apple, and clementine finish. A delicious, artfully balanced soave with a great range of fruit flavors. 91 Point Beverage Tasting Institue