Doolhof Wine Estate near Wellington has won yet another accolade. This time its Signatures of Doolhof Petit Verdot 2008 has been awarded the National Certificate for the Top Petit Verdot at the recently held 2010 SA Terroir Wine Awards.

For the first time, a trophy was presented to the top wine area in South Africa, based on a specific winegrowing terrain that produced most of the wines that went to the final round for a SA Terroir National Certificate, as well as the number of wines that received a National Certificate. The Wellington ward was the first winner of the Novare Trophy for SA Terroir Top Wine Area, with Doolhof as a national winner several times, contributing strongly.

This is the fourth time that Doolhof has been awarded national winner status at these awards. Last year, the Signatures of Doolhof Malbec 2007 received this award and in 2008, the Signatures of Doolhof Pinotage 2006, while the Pinotage 2005 received it in 2007.

In addition in 2009, the Signatures of Doolhof Sauvignon Blanc received two District Awards.

The SA Terroir Awards is a tough competition! This was the fifth awards ceremony since its inception in 2006 and Doolhof has been among the top four winning producers in the past five years with four national awards.

Dennis Kerrison of Doolhof Wine Estate is delighted that the estate and its location in the winegrowing area of Wellington have been recognised at this national competition.

“I am particularly pleased that the Doolhof Petit Verdot, which will soon be released, has won such an award. It is very encouraging for us and our consumers and proves our dedication to offering the best quality wines.”

Doolhof Wine Estate near Wellington in the Western Cape was cloaked in a frosty, white mantle in the early hours of this morning when the mercury dropped to 3 degrees below freezing!

This beautiful wine estate is situated under Bain’s Kloof Pass and is noted for its outstanding wines, a couple of which are great winter warmers from the ever popular Cape Series, Cape Boar and Cape Roan.

These reds offer superb winter comfort.

The Minotaur is Doolhof’s top wine, a wonderful blend of six Cape red varietals, and a winter special. Why not indulge yourself this cold season with a couple of bottles of Minotaur which will make you forget those winter blues?

And, finally, there is the estate’s Signatures brand – a range of single varietal whites and reds that provides a special favourite for every wine drinker, from a delectable Sauvignon Blanc to a robust Cabernet Sauvignon

The wines benefit from the grapes grown in the micro-climates and terroirs arising from the farm’s many hills and vales, several of which are depicted here.

Come and experience Doolhof’s winter beauty by enjoying its wines and lunches in the elegant tasting room.

Dennis Kerrison, the owner of Doolhof Wine Estate talks about The Minotaur, the award winning Cape Blend from the Estate that has won a Double gold Veritas, Gold at the Michelangelo Awards and four stars in Platter. The Minotaur is the first premium blend produced by Doolhof and is one of the Legends of the Labyrinth range.

Now we are entering the final stages, we have seen many of the European “Greats” fall by the wayside.

As they say, it is an ill wind and it has given tourists and fans with spare time on their hands, an opportunity to explore the Cape Winelands.

Good news for South African wines, is that all overseas visitors seem surprised and excited about what is on offer in South Africa.  This has certainly been true of Doolhof wines.

So, as you assess your plans over the next three weeks, put Doolhof and Wellington in your diary.

For those of you who prefer a more urban setting, some of the same great wines are on offer at the Waterfront in Cape Town.  Vaughan Johnson, a Cape Town legend in wine sales, is offering Doolhof and other fine wines at great prices during the tournament.

Vaughan, as a businessman and entrepreneur, never puts all his eggs in one basket.  In his store, at any one time, there are eight or nine languages resounding – some seeking wine, others beer and some, more esoteric spirits and cigars.  Some are celebrating and some are drowning their sorrows.

We recommend you check out Vaughan Johnson when you are at the Waterfront.

Recently I had the opportunity to present a small range of Doolhof wines to the VATS tasting club in Johannesburg.  The tasting was the result of a chance meeting with Bernd Sonnenberg, Chairman of the Club in the Doolhof tasting room last September, which Dennis Kerrison, owner of Doolhof  followed up with an offer to do a tasting for the club.  I was asked to do the tasting and did a bit of research about the club which came as a surprise.

The club was started in 1987 as a wine tasting event and have been tasting wine  just about every Tuesday for the past 20 years. Visit www.vats.co.za for more details about the club. I found the wine knowledge of the members exceptionally good and their ability to judge wine on a 20 point scale after giving very succinct and accurate descriptions of the wine. The tasters are also brutally honest and do not hold back on pointing out faults ore shortcomings in the wine.

Herewith are extracts of Bernd’s September notes and comments on the Doolhof wines he tasted then -

Last year in September I went on my annual wine tour. My most noteworthy discovery was a farm that took me quite frankly by complete surprise. I was surprised by the friendliness, the excellence in service and wine quality.

It is probably the easiest farm to find in the Cape, just follow Church Street to its conclusion in the mountains behind the beautiful town of Wellington. At its end is a gorgeous farm called Doolhof, named after all the little valleys that form a maze at the edge of the mountain.

I arrived on a rainy day to find a farm with green pastures and newly planted vineyards. Once I found the tasting room, I was greeted with a stunning view, with a warm and cosy tasting room. The lady who ran the tasting room brimmed with friendliness and eagerness. They have a unique way of labelling the stem of each wine so that you know exactly what’s in each glass.

After the tasting, I sat back and started to decide what I should take back to my tasting back in Riebeek-West at the end of the week. I had already decided on the first day that I was going to show the people I had started to meet, that the wines of the area were exceptional. That I was going to host a tasting of the best I had found along the way, at the end of my stay. I had an immediate problem, what to take. I had not tasted the Minotaur and thus decided that that was a must, along with my 17.5, 18’s and 19 scores. Whilst debating my purchase, the owner Dennis and the manager Daan on the table opposite from me asked me what I felt about the wines from Doolhof. I have never scored so many wines so high at an estate tasting, and I said so. Both Dennis and Daan then told me all about this lovely estate, their problems with marauding monkeys harvesting most of the Chenin Blanc. They further told me about their lovely accommodation on the farm, their planned weekends and lovely restaurant.

In conclusion Doolhof is a wine farm, a stunning place to stay and a culinary experience. That’s exactly it, an experience of note! It’s not far off the beaten track, roughly 50km’s from Stellenbosch. Definitely not a place to miss if you love South African wines and want to taste some of the best wines the Cape has to offer!”

Then here are the notes and scores for the tasting in Johannesburg in June 2010.

This tasting was held at the Bryanston Country Club, in the bowling facility and was presented by Daan Coetzee. The wines were tasted in the following order and the resultant scores are reflected:

1. Signatures Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Colour – Light green. Nose – Herby, guava & grassy. Palate – Crisp acids, grassy, citrus, with a guava finish. Vats average score – 15.71;

2. Signatures Chardonnay (Barrel fermented) 2008

Colour – Green-gold. Nose – citrusy,butterscotch, lemon and lime. Palate – Crisp acids, lemon & lime, with a lingering butterscotch finish. Vats – 15.81;

3. Signatures Merlot 2006

Colour – Dark inky black, with red rim. Nose – Chocolate, caramel and black fruits. Palate – Crisp acids, lots of black fruits, firm chalky tannins, with a chalky finish. Vats – 16.19;

4. Malbec 2008

Colour – Dark inky purple, with a red rim. Nose – Sour cherries, with choc and berry fruit, white pepper and nutmeg spices, with cedar. Palate – Crisp acids, firm tannins, white pepper, gamey, with black currants and cherries. Vats – 16.24;

5. Shiraz 2006

Colour – Dark black, with a purple rim. Nose – Black currant, chocolate and caramel. Palate – Crisp acids, firm tannins, black currants, caramel, with lingering black fruit finish. Vats – 17.19;

6. Minotaur 2007

Colour – Dark inky black, with purple rim. Nose – Sour cherry, chocolate and black fruits. Palate – Crisp acids, with firm but silky tannins, black fruits, with chocolates, lingering sweet black fruit finish. Vats – 17.14.

This was an excellent, well presented tasting with high scoring wines. The Shiraz 2006 was the second most highly scored wine tasted by Vats in 2010, with the Cederburg Generations Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, beating this wine with its 17.33 average. That also makes the Minotaur the third most highly scored wine by VATS in 2010.

Decanter Gold – Forged from fire and rain

The fact that Doolhof Signatures Malbec 2008 recently won a Gold Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London, which are generally regarded as the Oscars of the Wine World, is in itself an achievement, but considering it is the second consecutive year that consecutive vintages of this wine won gold makes it so much more of an achievement.

However, what make the 2008 vintage even more remarkable is the extraordinary circumstances under which the grapes were grown and the 2008 vintage harvested.

Blocks 12 and 13 on Doolhof, are planted to Malbec and are situated on a west facing slope, some 500 m below the historic Bainskloof road. The vineyard is in hostile area – it is the highest vineyard on Doolhof, against the steepest slope, exposed to the ravages of the South Easter and in the rockiest, meanest soil on the Estate. It is also most preferred by the troop of baboons that roam the slopes below Sneeuberg.

On the afternoon of Friday 8 February 2008 the wine making team visited the vineyard to decide if the grapes are ready to “pars” (harvest). The unanimous decision was that it was ready to “pars” on that following Monday.

As the team stood in the vineyard they saw a fire coming down the mountain from Bainskloof burning on the neighbouring farm. The fire was started earlier that afternoon by a motor accident on the Bainskloof road. By nigh fall the fire reached Doolhof and the veld on two sides of the Malbec was burning. The fire raged the whole of that night and was eventually put out late on Saturday afternoon. The workers of Doolhof, neighbours from adjacent farms and the fire brigade of Drakenstein municipality stood watch and protected the vineyards of Doolhof that night.

Needless to say after the fire the grapes were covered in soot and dust and it was thought that the crop was lost, or at least that the wine would be spoilt by smoke taint. But, as is quite often the case in the Boland , rain follows a strong South Easter, which is exactly what happened… by Sunday afternoon it was raining and the soot on the grapes were washed away.

On Monday the grapes looked terrible and the chemical analysis of the grapes was not promising – the acids dropped out and the pH to high, making it very difficult for winemaking. After much agonising it was decided to let the grapes hang and to see if nature can remedy the situation. Eventually the grapes were harvested two weeks later, when the grapes restored the natural acid balance and the pH improved. During these two weeks a permanent baboon guard was stationed at the vineyards because the baboons were hungry and looking for food, as their natural food source in the veld was destroyed by the fire.

After a gentle winemaking process with soft pump overs the wine was matured for 14 months in a selection of new and second fill French oak before it was bottled in November 2009.

Doolhof Malbec 2008 is a testimony to the axiom of “out of adversity cometh strength”.

Doolhof General Manager, Daan Coetzee, participated in “The Great South African Wine Show” that was arranged by WOSA – Wines of South Africa, the industry body charged with promoting South African wine in overseas markets. The show was held in New York City on 13 May 2010, in a restored factory building in the Tribeca area, that offered spectacular views over the East River.

Daan writes that the event, which had a South African theme, due to the use of large displays of fresh proteas, was very well attended by the wine trade in New York City and further afield, which came to taste the wines of about 185 producers.

The trade show was held during the day and was followed by a consumer tasting in the evening. From a promotional perspective and getting the proverbial bang for your buck, the evening tasting for consumers was a very sensible arrangement by the organisers, as it maximised the impact of having so many South African producers who are already present during the day, at the evening event. All this, for the price of a few bottles of wine and a late dinner. It is generic marketing at its best and only a pity that it cannot be done more often and in more venues.

Out of the Doolhof selection, it was clear that Doolhof’s Dark Lady Pinotage was a winner. One taster described the wine as the full American breakfast: “Coffee and Mocha on the nose followed by strong berry flavours on the palate, with a hint of smoked bacon on the after taste”. Both the trade and consumers also liked the Cape Roan which received 89 points out of a total 100 points, in Wine Enthusiast magazine.

It is heartening to hear that wine consumption is growing in the USA year on year, but as a South African producer one despairs of the ignorance and indifference to South African wines in the trade. It is quite the norm to see South African wines relegated to the back shelf or bottom shelf in retail outlets. It is also seldom that one sees more than a couple of SA wines on a wine list.

Fortunately there are retail and restaurant outlets that have a decent SA offering. Amongst the retail outlets visited in New York City, Astor Wines at 399 Lafayette Street and Union Square Wine and Spirits on 4th Avenue stand out. Sherry-Lehman, the upmarket wine retailer on Park Avenue that offers “free delivery in the Hamptons” also has a tidy SA list in their catalogue which is mostly filled with pages and pages of French wines and Super Tuscans.

Although it is early days in the American market, Doolhof is fortunate to have been able to team up with the newly established Worthwhile Wines, www.worthwhilewine.com, an importer that will concentrate on South African wines. They will be importing our wines into the USA . Tom Lynch, the founder of Worthwhile Wines and his team, are working diligently to appoint distributors in each of the key markets of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Georgia and Florida. Small volumes of Signatures of Doolhof Cabernet Sauvignon are also imported and distributed in Texas and Washington DC.

Doolhof is excited about its potential for growth in the US market and looks forward to solid growth in this exciting, yet complicated market.

The 2010 harvest (at Doolhof Wine Estate) provided the highest yield for many years, despite strong wind storms in October 2009, damaging leaves and shoots on some of the red varietals.  This impacted on the ripening programme.  However, there are signs that the 2010 harvest may approach the 2009 super vintage.

Doolhof experienced a high rainfall (64mm) between January and March that ensured good vineyards by counteracting the abnormally long heatwave we had.

Harvesting began on 1 February 2010 and excellent quality grapes were picked and pressed.  Most of the white varietals’ yields were up and we believe that they are noteworthy in terms of quality.

The Sauvignon Blanc grapes were picked before the heat of the day.  Four different Sauvignon Blanc tank wines were produced, each with different yeast, adding to the complexity of the final wine.  The best tanks with the best aromas will be blended to make the 2010 Signatures of Doolhof Sauvignon Blanc.

The Chardonnay was harvested between middle and end February.  Both tank and barrel fermented wines have been made.

The reds ripened quickly with Merlot, the first varietal picked.  It shows great potential, as does the Malbec that yielded more than twice the tonnage this year than last year.  Pinotage was also a large crop and exhibits typical varietal characteristics while the Shiraz promises to be an outstanding wine, although it was a small yield.

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon will be the best ever made on Doolhof!  Small berries with dark purple colours and blackberry and cassis aromas are evident of excellence.  The same can be said about the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.  Both these varietals were harvested at the end of the season (end of March) and will make rich, complex wines as varietals and/or for blending.

To conclude, the white varietal wines are excellent while the red varietal wines show good quality fruit and colour with intense aromas at this stage.

Doolhof Wine Estate, provided several major attractions during the recent Wellington Wine Harvest Festival. The estate, noted for its outstanding quality, award winning wines; excellent facilities, including picnic lunches, vineyard hiking trails and the luxurious Grand Dédale Country House, set in scenes of unsurpassed natural beauty, offered Festival visitors live music by well known bands, such as Tropical Heat; a potjiekos competition that is now an annual fixture at the Festival; and a Jazz luncheon on the verandah of Grand Dédale.

On the Sunday, excitement was created by the Wilde Day Mountain Bike Race over 40 kms that began at Diemersfontein Wine Estate and ended at Doolhof, with more than 240 cyclists participating.

An early morning fog on both Saturday and Sunday ensured enjoyably crisp conditions, even when the sun broke through. Tractor rides in the vineyards, a strong man competition, delicious lunches created by the chef of Grand Dédale, and wine tastings, added up to make this a most enjoyable three-day event.

Doolhof’s much awarded wines were in demand throughout the Festival. Wine tastings of the latest vintages were offered in the elegant tasting room and on the verandah with its cooling fountains. And if the sales were anything to go by, the wines do not find favour only with wine judges! Denizens of Doolhof and other customers spent time wisely by laying in stocks of these sought-after tipples.

Share your special moments with us, by sending us your comments, blogs and photos of the events you enjoyed at Doolhof.

Only two days left to enjoy fun, good food, wonderful wines and entertainment at Doolhof Wine Estate. Come and see the Cape Bike Race finale at 2pm today. And why not dine in grand style at Grand Dédale Country House whilst relaxing at the Jazz lunch on Monday? What better way to spend the long weekend than at Doolhof in Wellington today and tomorrow?