The Olifantsberg family vineyards and winery is located on the rocky slopes of Olifantsberg mountain, overlooking the Breedekloof valley. It was acquired by Dutch couple Paul and Corine Leeuwerik in the early 2000s.

This is a winery with a wonderful vision of sustainable viticulture and hands off winemaking. The focus is on sustainable farming and winemaking practices, resulting in limited intervention in both the vineyard and cellar. The vineyards are also surrounded by Breede Shale Renosterveld vegetation and help create a natural biodiversity within and around their vineyards.Their vineyards endure substantial diurnal temperature swings and strong winds at altitudes ranging from 250m to 450m above sea level and during the cold winter months, the mountain peaks are covered in snow, keeping the vines dormant for longer and in summer the constant winds have a cooling effect on the vines which helps to ensure slow ripening of the grapes.

Elizma’s words: “This Grenache Noir is grown as echalas vines (vine-to-post) on clay-shale rich soil with a high component of quartz rock. Every vintage we would leave halve of each clone tied to the pole and the other halve untied. This creates two different micro-climates within each vine. The cooler micro-climate of the traditional echalas has a higher acidity and different aromatic complexity. The untied vine will be more sun exposed like a traditional bush vine. By selecting the three different Grenache clones we have enhanced our wines natural complexity even more.”

Tasting Note:
Bright cherry colour with inviting hibiscus tea and peppered strawberry aromas. Rosewater and orange peel follows through on the grippy palate. This is a friendly Grenache with a shy yet evident serious side.