In 1989 the new vineyards of Haute Cabriere, lying along the west-facing stoney slopes of the Franschhoek pass, were planted with the world's most demanding grape: Pinot Noir. It was time to evolve from being a Cap Classique specialist and respond to the challenge of a demanding cultivar.
The terroir was ideal; Achim's enthusiasm boundless. New Burgundian clones, selected for their rich fruit and colour, were densely plated at 10 000 vines a hectare, for a lower yield with high-quality fruit. The grapes show an intensity of flavour, captured in the first Pinot Noir vintages. These are wines that are rich and smooth. Combining intensity with elegance. Unmistakably Haute Cabriere.
Exactly 300 years after Cabriere had been granted to Pierre Jourdan, a state-of-the-art cellar was opened at Haute Cabriere, specifically to handle Pinot Noir. Through this experience of Methode Cap Classique, Achim had learned vital lessons about the fragility of a delicate cultivar. These were put into practice in the new cellar to capture terroir, unhindered by clumsy tannins.
Sunk into the Franschhoek mountainside, the underground cellar is entirely gravity-fed. Grapes are offloaded through the roof, the berries channelled into fermentation tanks. Fermented juice is collected in barrels of French oak for maturation. All without mechanical manipulation.
Opening Times
Mon - Fri: 09h00 - 16h30
Sat: 10h30 - 15h30
