#EllisSupportsSA: Strandveld Vineyards

Strandveld Vineyards
First Sighting Sauvignon Blanc
Conrad Vlok
Conrad Vlok, Winemaker

As a result of the crippling ban on domestic sales, we are supporting the South African wine industry with our #EllisSupportsSA campaign. Now, more than ever, we need to #DrinkSouthAfrican, so for every 6 bottles sold from any of our five family-owned wineries, we will be donating £1 to Hospitality Action, the UK charity which supports thousands of people in the sector in these challenging times. Read more about what we are doing here

Here, we introduce you to our first of our five wonderful producers: Strandveld Vineyards. 

Strandveld Vineyards is a beautiful, wind-swept winery located 9km from the sea. Situated between Elim and Cape Agulhas it is the southernmost winery on the continent of Africa.

“Strandveld” refers to the coastal belt of land which spans the coastline around Africa’s tempestuous southernmost tip at Cape Agulhas. Lying almost 35˚ south, the Cape South coast is characterised by severe winds, mists and cool temperatures. This confluence of a maritime climate, varying sites and soil types creates the diversity of terroir that distinguishes the signature wines of Strandveld Vineyards, crafted by winemaker Conrad Vlok.

“The decidedly cool Elim, near Cape Agulhas, is clearly capable of making notably fine Sauvignon Blancs.” - Jancis Robinson MW

The Strandveld Vineyards cover 88 hectares of the Elim-Cape Agulhas wine region and are predominantly planted with Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and Pinot Noir, with small plantings of Semillon, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Viognier for blending. The vineyards are located 7km and 10k from the ocean on gentle slopes rising from 40-100m above sea level.The salty, rocky gravel soils  produce low yields of small bunches and berries of intensely flavoured grapes, benefitting from slow, even ripening conditions, only possible in a cool climate. The wines they produce are truly influenced by the sea andthe soils first and foremost and crafted by winemaker, Conrad Vlok. 

Conrad Vlok, Strandveld Vineyards winemaker since 2004, is a man of the sea and the soil whose warm nature and empathy for the environment in which he works  is reflected in the distinctive character of his wines. He believes that winemaking starts in the vineyard and good grapes are the key to making great wine. Having spent more than a decade bringing the Strandveld vineyards and wines into maturity, Conrad is completely in tune with the challenges of this exciting area and the rewards it can bring.

He has achieved numerous successes with his wines both in South Africa and abroad and is very proud of having produced two Platter Guide five star rated wines and a number of Gold, Double Gold and Platinum medals from various competitions, including 97/100 points from the Decanter World Wine Awards 2019 for their First Sighting Sauvignon Blanc 2019.

As with the majority of South African wineries, their domestic market  is the most important market for the vineyard, with the home sales being 80% of their business. However, due to the current restrictions imposed by South Africa’s government, the impact of their livelihoods is immense so they really need our support. 

The following wines we have from this fantastic producer are:

First Sighting Sauvignon Blanc, Cape Agulhas 2018 £9.25

First Sighting Shiraz, Cape Agulhas 2017 £9.25

Strandveld Adamastor Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Cape Agulhas 2017 £13.50

Strandveld The Navigator SGM, Cape Agulhas 2015 £14.50  / £30.75  (mag)

Strandveld Pofadderbos Sauvignon Blanc, Cape Agulhas 2018 £12.50

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Strandveld Vineyards leading advocates of sustainability. They are part of the IPW scheme as well as being a WWF Conservation Champion. They also belong to the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area (NWSMA) which you can read more about here.

The Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) is a voluntary environmental sustainability scheme established by the South African wine industry in 1998. It aims to serve as a basis for the application of the principles of integrated production in the growing of grapes and the production of wine. 

The WWF works with wineries in the Cape, whose committment to biodiversity-friendly farming practices, which aims to conserve 20% of their land as natural habitat and continually improve their water and energy efficiencies.

For Conrad Vlok of Strandveld Vineyards, farming sustainably makes perfect sense.

“When natural landscapes function as they should, nature takes care of the land, including the agricultural land. It means more productive farms, and for us, wineries that produce world-class wines.”

For more information visit: https://strandveld.co.za 

 

To order:

Call us on 020 8744 5550, we are open Monday - Friday 9.00am – 4.00pm or you can email us anytime on orders@ellis-wines.co.uk.

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