variety : Shiraz [ 100% Shiraz ]
winemaker : Bonny van Niekerk
wine of origin : Coastal
analysis : alc : 13.99 % vol rs : 2.2 g/l pH : 3.61 ta : 5.57 g/l
type : Red style : Dry body : Full
pack : Bottle closure : Cork
in the vineyard : viticulturist: Annelie Viljoen
The grapes for this wine were sourced from mainly trellised vineyards in Stellenbosch Kloof, Helderberg and Devon Valley. Mostly south-west facing, they derive the maximum benefit from cooling maritime breezes to ensure slow ripening and concentrated fruit flavours.
in the cellar : Background
In keeping with the Zonnebloem tradition dating back to the early 18th century, the greater part of the grapes sourced for these time-honoured wines come from vineyards tended by wine farmers who have been producing grapes for Zonnebloem for over three generations. Crafted from grapes grown in the Stellenbosch area, current Zonnebloem vintages are styled to be accessible and easy to drink, with a soft palate but structured to show varietal character, and in the case of the reds, to last for five to 10 years.
winemaker: Bonny van Niekerk
Each vineyard block was vinified separately. After fermentation on the skins for 10 to 12 days at 26° C, the juice was racked off the skins and the skins pressed. The pressed juice was proportionally returned to add complexity to the eventual wine. After malolactic fermentation, half the wine was aged in new and second-fill small oak barrels and the other half in stainless steel on oak staves.