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Johan Grimbeek

Winemaker
Kanu Wines
Johan became Kanu’s winemaker in 2004 and then went on to become cellar master in 2010, after Kanu relocated to the former Mulderbosch property and cellar. Best known for his strive towards making wines that are true to themselves, Johan intervenes as little as possible.

Johan became Kanu’s winemaker in 2004 and then went on to become cellar master in 2010, after Kanu relocated to the former Mulderbosch property and cellar. Best known for his strive towards making wines that are true to themselves, Johan intervenes as little as possible.

Many of Kanu’s wines are made in an Artisan-style. By doing so, Johan pushes the industry to go back to basics to achieve the quality associated with precious wines. This includes the grapes being hand sorted, undergoing natural fermentation and manual hourly punch-downs, before being pressed with a vintage manual French basket press. Kanu’s Artisan wines include the KCB Chenin Blanc, the Chardonnay Barrel Fermented, the Single Block Vineyard Viognier, the Keystone Bordeaux Blend and the GSM.

Johan is also cognisant of and sensitive in the use of fining agents in the production of his wines, since thesemay cause various allergic reactions to consumers. A natural approach to making wines help in the strive towards healthier wines.Towards this goal, less sulphur is usedso as to create wines with stronger personality and more beautiful aromas in the natural way it was intended to be. It is also through Johan’s knowledge and understanding of the Chenin Blanc grape, that Kanu is seen today as one of South Africa’s Chenin Blanc Kings. But these days Kanu seem to have everyone’s attention with awards pouring in from all sides.

Johan’s latest creation, the Single Vineyard Viognier, has bowled critics over. The Kia Ora has put the South African standards on a new high. Sauvignon Blanc from the Kanu’s terroir is a topic of conversation. And this is only to name a few. Kanu is coming of age and Johan Grimbeek is leading the way with wines that are paving the way towards new industry standards.