GG_N54_AFS-web

SOUTH AFRICA
GRAPE
CELLAR MASTER CHARL COETZEE AND WINEMAKER KLAAS STOFBERG
TASTING TOGETHER
too much like “Rhône” versus “Roam.” So, Fairview
orchestrated a march to the French embassy defending
their honour, presenting the ambassador with a
magnum and goat manure for his lawn. The uproar,
captured in video footage that made its way to the
press and CNN, became a legendary tale in the
annals of South African wine.
“We receive 250,000 visitors annually, so the tasting
room and restaurant are the perfect places to test
drive small experiments. To see how guests react to
these wines gives us plenty of clues, and the tasting
room staff also loves dishing up a few surprises for
a captivated crowd.”
With a sense of adventure running in the company,
they don’t mind the wind in their hair.
“The South Easter drives us crazy at times, but the
movement of the canes also keeps the vines healthy,
letting the sun into the fruit zone and keeping the
humidity under control.”
They don’t make all their accomplishments public,
but it is worth noting their next-door Spice Route
farm is 100% organic with 670 solar panels allowing
them to run entirely off the grid if there is sunshine.
Dedicated to exceptional Swartland fruit, the Spice
Route Chakalaka 2021 and Limited Edition Red
Blend 2022 scored 90 points, respectively, from
Gilbert & Gaillard.
BABYLONSTOREN, FARM TO FORK
AND BACK TO THE FARM
THIS IS THE 18 TH CENTURY MANOR HOUSE AT BABYLONSTOREN WITH
THE WORKING DUCKS
Babylonstoren is situated on the Simondium road
outside Paarl and has unfolded as a true phenomenon.
The circle of life is also evident in how they
take from the earth and give back two-fold, an ethos
that permeates their vegetable and fruit farming,
restaurants, and wine production. The spotlight is
on the distinctive Babel wine (53% Shiraz, 19% Pinotage,
8% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 3%
Petit Verdot, 3% Mourvèdre, 2% Grenache Noir, and
1% Marselan 2022) that scored 90 points, along with
their Viognier 2023.
Winemaker Klaas Stoffberg, drawing from experiences
in Cornas and St Joseph in the Rhône,
reflects on Babylonstoren’s unique position.
48 WINTER 2023 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE