Miracle wine, born out of determination and risk

At Super Single Vineyards’ Sutherland-Karoo outpost in the Northern Cape they talk about summertime highs and lows of 32ºC and 5ºC respectively. In fact the highs can reach 40º, and come wintertime the mercury drops to between -3º (on average) and -11º (occasionally). What’s more, the lowest temperature recorded in Sutherland so far this century stands at -16º (2003) and black frost is frequent. Plus, the birds and baboons are prone to feast on the grapes at this oasis in such an arid land.


Among the attractions of the site are the deep soils that make for good root penetration and a mineral character to the wine as the vines mature. Also, the remoteness of the place has made it possible to dispense with insecticides and pesticides. But this is extreme winemaking… At an altitude of 1500m, the vineyards planted here in 2005 are in the highest and coldest wine-growing area on the continent.

How amazing therefore that the wines made from these grapes are already winning awards, with the 2009 Mount Sutherland Shiraz described as Continental style Syrah: “Layers of aromas such as rose petals, cherries, cloves and freshly milled white pepper… Tremendous succulence and richness on the palate…”


Herewith the prices of the top-performers at the 2012 Classic Wine Trophy competition – Rand per bottle, lowest to highest:


R80 – Perdeberg Reserve Weisser Riesling Natural Sweet 2010
R90 – Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2010
R110 – Boschendal Grande Cuvee Brut 2007
R190 – Mount Sutherland Syrah 2009
R295 – Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2010
R375 – Glen Carlou Gravel Quarry Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

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