The De Grendel Farm is situated in the Tygerberg Hill area and covers 330 hectares of Fynbos mountain slopes. In 2000 the first trellises were planted on the farm. Wine making has now joined hands with De Grendel’s other farming passion, Holstein cattle and dairy farming. The first grapes planted were Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Roughly 10 hectares were used for the first trellises going up. Twenty years later, there are more than 110 hectares of the farm covered by manicured vines. The farm’s location lends itself to be a prime area for the production of Sauvignon Blanc as is the majority of the Durbanville Hills area. However, my focus is solely on De Grendel’s AMAZING 2018 Rosé.

Very few things announce summer better than a chilled glass of Rosé next to the pool while enjoying a summer salad. So, if you ask the question “Is it time for Rosé yet?” The answer is YES, MOST DEFINTELY!! De Grendel Rosé ticks all the boxes and more of an exceptional Rosé wine. This is without a doubt the right wine for welcoming summer.

In 2018 the whole country, and especially the Western Cape, experienced one of the worst droughts South Africa had ever seen. Through very intensive management of the vines, precise amounts water at the correct times and specific harvesting dates, the wine making team at De Grendel managed to secure a harvest during very telling times. As the saying goes “Every dark cloud has a silver lining”. The silver lining in this instance, being a disease- free crop. During extremely dry conditions diseases are restricted resulting in the 2018 harvest being completely disease free.

Bush vine Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon were purposefully grown and nourished to produce a premium quality high end Rosé. Fifty percent Pinotage, providing a very fruit-driven wine, while 50% Cabernet adds to structure and acidity in the wine. One to two hours of skin contact, raking and cold fermentation thereafter allows for a lighter style wine.

Best served chilled, the first sip is a fruit driven extravaganza. Slightly dry with a medium acidity. The summer fruit flavours to follow are incredible and pertinent. Watermelon, green cantaloupe and strawberries. On the nose, red berries, strawberry and raspberry.

Rosé, check. Ice bucket, check. Glass filled, check. Bottle on ice, check. I guess one needs to eat as well? A perfect companion would be a watermelon, strawberry and feta salad dressed in a red wine vinaigrette. Light and fresh, watermelon and strawberry complementing the fruitiness of the wine. Cucumber and mint adding to the freshness of the salad. The saltiness of the feta cutting through the acidity of the wine and the vinaigrette dressing. A perfect match!!