Rhône-Style Wines
Timed Online Auction, 28 January - 9 February 2026
Rhône Style wines from South Africa
About the SessionOver the past decade South African Rhône-style offerings have witnessed an explosion in popularity, led by the Swartland in the 2010s and subsequently spreading across the Cape.
About this Item
The Gramadoelas Grenache Blanc vineyard is a single demarcated vineyard in Eastern Klein Karoo WO, Meiringspoort area close to De Rust. On the South foothills of Swartberg Mountain, between Schist hills on a somewhat fertile valley soil. Situated on a game and livestock farm, planted by owner Eric Wiehan in 2009, farmed today by his cousin Hannes. Soils here are decomposed Schist and shale red loam/clay soils with coarse rock fragments here and there. It is rare to have vineyards in these parts of the Cape, let alone the variety. A unique site, with its own elegance and lightness from this terrain.
Provenance
Wine Cellar Private Client
Critics Ratings
'"Keeping it gentle in the cellar" is Bernhard Bredell's mantra, which is wise given the quality of his fruit sources. Incredibly focused and concentrated for a wine with a mere 12% of alcohol, this Grenache Blanc from the Klein Karoo is stony, mealy and refreshing, with a hint of oak spice and a long, pithy finish. 2021-25' - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2019, 92/100
'From a 2009 vineyard on schist in the Klein Karoo . The nose shows pear, peach, citrus with some floral perfume and dried herbs in the background. The palate is intensely flavoured (despite a low alcohol of 12%) with punchy acidity and a salty finish.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 93/100 (May 2020)
'Just 95 cases of early harvested (20.5 Balling) Klein Karoo grenache blanc. 2019 ripe pear & lemon thyme, variety's natural fullness & vinosity give generous & mouthfilling feel though palate is bone-dry' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2021, 4*
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