Owners of a successful landscaping business in their native Sweden, the couple had spent years searching throughout Europe for a compact and manageable farm on which to produce a worthy wine, and eventually retire.
Finally in 2005, they decided to holiday in the Cape, and visit its famed winelands. On arriving in Wellington, they fell in love - with the landscape, the people, the climate - and a little piece of heaven called Andreas.
With a history dating back to the first Huguenot settlement in the Valley, the farm forms part of the land originally granted to Barend Blum, in 1699. First aptly known as 'Vrugtbaar' (Fruitful), the estate was renamed Groenendal in the 1840's, changing hands many times before being subdivided in 2001, with a portion becoming what is now Andreas.
The previous owner had already converted the Guava orchards into vineyards, and replaced the fruit factory with a cellar. Everything was in place for the production of quality wines. Instantly recognising its potential, the Bokdals purchased the farm, and today this 6 ha gem, with its beautiful gardens and elegant listed homestead dated 1799, continues to be true to its early promise of bounty.
Andreas has just 4, 5 ha under Shiraz vines. Long, hot summer days cooled by late afternoon breezes, chilly, wet winters, and a combination of sandy and loamy soils provide the perfect terroir for this noble cultivar, producing small, dark, intensely flavourful berries which are the hallmark of a fine local Shiraz.
Influenced by Biodynamic principles, ecologically sensitive vineyard management is stringently adhered to. We use no insecticides, and natural predators are encouraged, in line with IPW (Integrated Production of Wine).
After months of careful nurturing, the grapes are hand-picked in the early morning, and brought cool and dew-fresh to the cellar, to await their metamorphosis at the skilful hands of winemaker Etienne Malan (formerly of Rust-en-Vrede, in Stellenbosch).
Our wines spend between 12 and 18 months on toasted French and American oak, and we select from the best individual barrels to create the final blend. The result is smooth, full-bodied, top-of-the-range wines in the classic New World style, with characteristic peppery, spicy, berry flavours, and excellent ageing potential.
Our Flagship wine is the Andreas Shiraz 2004. This maiden vintage garnered a Silver Veritas and Double-Gold Michelangelo Award, as well as Runner-up for the coveted Michelangelo Trophy.
The 2005 Shiraz is likewise proving to be a worthy contender in various local and international competitions, and our 2006 vintage is eagerly awaited. Because of our small size, we make only 13 500 litres per year - most destined for local consumption, although we are exploring the European market. This limited output means we are able to exercise strict, hands-on quality control at each stage of the winemaking process, from the vineyard to the cellar, and everything, including bottling, is done on the premises.
Our 1 ha Olive grove is also flourishing and we intend to make use of its fruit and oil in the near future, but whatever we produce will be afforded the same loving care, dedication and meticulous attention to detail as our wines.
To visit Andreas and sample our exclusive range, please contact Farm Manager Eugenie Sullivan on +27.218732286 or email andreas@ezinet.co.za, for a personalised tasting and cellar tour.
You will be assured of a warm welcome.