Moment of Silence 2019

Since it’s maiden vintage in 2007, this wine changed quite a lot. In 2007, it was a blend of Chardonnay, Chenin blanc and Viognier - 3 vineyards. The 2019 vintage however, consists of 5 components - 3 Chenin blanc vineyards called Boberg, Spogblok and Draai-Draai as well as Grenache Blanc and Viognier. 

-Boberg: This vineyard grows on top of the Groenberg mountain in Wellington in decomposed granite. It was an old neglected bush vine Chenin blanc vineyard that was recently resurrected and converted into an organically farmed parcel. For many years there were no irrigation, but in 2017 the farmer installed an irrigation system. It is very dry on the mountain so this vineyard needs water, especially in these drought-stricken times.

-Spogblok: This vineyard grows below Boberg and is in the region of 60 years old. Due to the fact that it is a trellised vineyard, it is raised from the ground and can therefore handle its own herd of sheep. In 2018 it was a bit of a disaster, the sheep ate most of the leaves in the bunch zone. But in 2019 the grapes are back.

-Draai-Draai: This vineyard is a trellised vineyard in a little valley on the western slope of the Boberg. It is a great component and produce extracted, dense full-bodied wines. It grows in decomposed granite and in 2018 it was converted into an organically farmed block.

These three Vineyards make up about 75% of the final blend. 

-The next 20% is made up of a younger, organically farmed, irrigated Grenache Blanc vineyard on the lower slopes of the Groenberg. In 2018, we started to experiment with different fermentation styles. Specifically with the Grenache we tried some skin fermented parcels and it turned out really good - the idea is to add some tannin and texture to the final blend.

-And the last 5% of the wine is made up of a conventionally farmed Vineyard next to the Grenache.

Most of the components were fermented in old French Oak barrels 225, 300, 400 and 500L. The Viognier in Amphore and the Boberg vineyard in a concrete egg shaped tank.  

Spontaneous fermentation with 1-year aged on the Lees.  Moment of Silence is our largest production at present and we produced about 9000 bottles of the 2019. It is arguably our most successful wine.