GG_N50_FR

SOUTH AFRICA
VINEYARDS
CHARDONNAY THRIVES ON THE LIME-RICH SOILS FOUND IN THE ROBERTSON VALLEY
Nuy has also benefited from the surge in wine
tourism, and since building the restaurant on the
hill seven years ago, traffic has doubled.
“Everyone in the valley benefits from this renewed
interest in wineries off the traditional wine track,
and it created a platform to review our price
points. We offer visitors various price points and
aim to persuade them with packaging and different
wine styles to try something new.”
With only 3% of the cellar’s total annual production
of 10,000 tons bottled under the Nuy label,
Pienaar agrees that the Breede River Valley is a
bonafide supplier of sought-after grapes to other
wine regions.
“The Nuy Valley as a ward basks in the same Chardonnay
limelight as Robertson, with a rich bank
of limestone originating at Nuy, travelling all the
way to Robertson.”
They have joined the rosé revolution in time for the
South African summer, and with Muscadel, which
is now also exported in cans, it is a guaranteed hit.
“It is important to be recognised for something
unique. Most of the time, visitors leave with
Chenin and Muscadel, and it pleases me to say
that craft gin has paved the way for consumers to
explore our pot still brandy.”
BAG IN BOX TO BEAUTIFUL
BUBBLY
ROBERTSON WINERY WILL SOON LAUNCH A NEW UNDERGROUND WINE EXPERIENCE FOR
WINE TOURISTS
The Robertson wine district triumphs Chardonnay,
from big producers to boutique wineries sharing
the success.
Rianco van Rooyen, cellar master at Robertson
Winery, confirms that they supply many wine
farms beyond the Breede River Valley borders.
With an 81-year narrative, they were the first
to certify bag in box in the 90s, and Van Rooyen
comfortably reiterated the volumes produced of
each cultivar, equating to 47,000 tons, all wine of
origin Robertson.
“We manage 100 lines with the motto “More to
Share” with different styles and price points. We
want to be everyone’s wine.”
Lingering longer in Robertson will undoubtedly
80 WINTER 2022 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE