Boutinot South African Wine Tasting Event.
In 1993 when Cheshire wine merchant and importer Paul Boutinot commenced his search for a vineyard site with the potential to produce truly fine wine with a defining sense of origin. The classic areas, capable of growing naturally balanced grapes such as the Cote d’Or, Chablis, Paulliac, Barolo, etc. were either unavailable or unattainable (rich men’s toys), so he had to find a new classic.
It took ten years to narrow the search down to a small area on the south-facing slopes of the Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay in the Cape. As soon as he was led up a steep ravine opening out into a hidden amphitheatre of potential, all his experience and intuition told him: THIS IS IT! Waterkloof was born, and the hard work began.
Although grapes had been planted on Waterkloof since the early 1970s, the production of fine wines originated when the farm was planted, with some of the best material available, in the mid-1990s. Paul Boutinot took over the property in October 2003, but the first vintage bottled under the Waterkloof name was from the 2005 harvest.
From the outset, it was decided that the other half of the farm should be set aside to preserve the rare and abundant natural vegetation, fauna and flora situated on the property and in May 2008, Waterkloof was awarded Champion Status by the World Wildlife Fund’s Biodiversity & Wine Initiative, for its enterprising endeavours in this regard (click here to find out more). Following logically from these efforts, and as a result of Paul’s experience visiting vineyards and tasting from a range of biodynamic & organic wine producers around the world, it was then decided in 2008 to begin the conversion of Waterkloof to a fully-fledged organic farm with integrated biological farming.
Paul's son Louis, who now manages the vineyard will be present at Y Siop Win Wine Tasting on 15th December to pass on his passion for Waterkloof and guide you through the great wines being sampled.
Not to be missed!
[Please note: No physical ticket will be issued but your name or the name of your group will be given on entry. You can also purchase tickets in the wine shop and deli. Tickets are non-refundable]
