Hallgarten Wines Strengthens in South Africa
Specialist wine importer, Hallgarten & Novum Wines, has expanded its South African portfolio with the addition of four premium suppliers from across the country, available exclusively to the UK’s hospitality and retail sectors. Delaire Graff Estate, Creation Wines, Cape Point and Brookdale Estate, have each been added to the range to bolster its offering and provide increased diversity from regions across South Africa.
Hallgarten & Novum Wines has long championed South African wines and is now working with some of the best wine producers in the country, positioning itself as the go-to supplier of wines from South Africa. Through this collection of new additions to its portfolio, Hallgarten Wines now has a spread of producers from the premium wine-producing regions in South Africa and is able to offer its customers something for every slot on their wine list or shelves.
Steve Daniel, Head of Buying, at Hallgarten & Novum Wines commented: “For many years I have firmly believed that the UK trade has not embraced South African wine as much as it should. The country produces incredible wines, at prices that offer value for money from entry to premium, wines that punch well above their weight and challenge the classic areas of France. In my mind South Africa is making some of the best wines in the world and deserves a bigger presence on Wine lists and Retailers shelves. With the price increases and shortages from the Classic areas of the world there has never been a better time to offer South African wines to the public.
“Welcoming this selection of new producers to our portfolio helps to position us as the South African supplier of choice, as we are able to offer our customers the full spectrum of wine styles and price points, from each of the key regions in the country. We now work with some of the most prominent producers in Stellenbosch with Delaire Graff Estate; the specialist Sauvignon Blanc producer with Cape Point Vineyards; one of the finest producers in Hemel-en-Aarde with Creation; and one of the most exciting up-and-coming winemakers in the country with Kiara Scott, of Brookdale Estate, in Paarl.”
Delaire Graff Estate
A Tim Atkin First Growth, Delaire Graff Estate is a jewel in the Cape Winelands, located in the historic Banghoek Valley of Stellenbosch. Originally a farm named Avontuur, the estate was purchased by the well-known wine writer John Platter in 1982, who renamed it Delaire meaning ‘From the Sky’ due to the magnificent views. In 2003, Laurence Graff OBE acquired the estate and following a six-year redevelopment programme, he transformed the estate into Delaire Graff: an iconic producer of world-class wines and a luxury boutique estate. Talented young winemaker Morné Very, previous winner of Tim Atkin’s Young Winemaker of the Year award, skilfully crafts their award-winning wines from the unique terroir on the crest of the Helshoogte Mountain Pass. The grapes are grown on high-altitude terraces on the steep slopes of Botmaskop Mountain, which are cooled by sea breezes from the Atlantic. The wines show outstanding purity, which has become the hallmark of Delaire Graff wines.
Creation Wines
Family-owned producer, Creation Wines, is run by husband and wife team, Jean-Claude and Carolyn Martin. Situated high up on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge in South Africa's cool-climate Walker Bay wine district. Here, in one of the most biodiverse regions on earth, nature is the very inspiration and innovation that is Creation. Their winemaking philosophy of 'expressing the beauty of nature' embraces sustainability to produce a distinctive portfolio of terroir-reflective and site-specific fine wines, notably a range of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With a strong focus on ED&I, establishing educational facilities in areas where none previously existed, and the environment, being one of only nine producers in South African to receive the EnviroWines accreditation, Creation Wines is committed to developing the future of wine-production in South Africa.
Cape Point Vineyards
Sauvignon Blanc specialist, Cape Point Vineyards, sits among the picturesque hills and valleys in Noordhoek; land that was first discovered by the Portuguese navigator, Bartolomeu Diaz, who was swept past the Cape in a violent storm in 1488. The land was subsequently cultivated by the Dutch who landed at the Cape in 1652. Just over a century later, in 1997, Sybrand van der Spuy planted new vines on this same land. Following extensive soil and climatic analyses, the first Sauvignon Blanc vines were pushing their roots into the soils of their new home against the south-facing slopes of Constantiaberg Mountain. Thus, Cape Point Vineyards was born. In 1998, the establishment of Cape Point Vineyards also prompted the declaration of the new Cape Point Wine of Origin District and is the only winery in this entire district. This magnificent location, with proximity to two oceans, inspires Head Winemaker Riandri Visser, who produces stunning wines that epitomise the distinctive Cape Point terroir.
Brookdale Estate
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Klein Drakenstein mountains in Paarl, Brookdale Estate produces wines as unexpected as they are enchanting. A true Cinderella story, Brookdale was once overgrown until the Rudd family recognised the potential and acquired the 67-hectare estate in 2015. Their vision was to produce world-class, fine wines, including interesting blends crafted from varietals that are somewhat ‘unusual’ in South Africa. The Mediterranean varietals, the distinctive Paarl terroir and creative winemaking techniques are brought together under the visionary hand of Tim Rudd and talented young winemaker Kiara Scott Farmer. Kiara was born on the Cape Flats and graduated from Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute in Viticulture and Oenology. She was selected for the prestigious CWG Protégé Programme and consultant winemaker Duncan Savage recognised Kiara’s potential early on and appointed her as his assistant. With Kiara by his side every step of the way, he created the maiden vintage of the Brookdale Chenin Blanc in 2017, which received global acclaim. Kiara officially took over the reins from the 2019 vintage.
