Sakkies Take on the wine: About four years ago I got a call from a friend who works for Vinpro in Vredendal. He told me about this cool new vineyard that a citrus farmer up in Citrusdal mountain had planted. Apparently they were looking for some guidance on the vineyard and maybe someone to buy the fruit. My first reaction was of course “what varietals are we talking here?” of which I found out was Grenache noir and Lledoner Pelut or Garnacha Peluda.

Needless to say I was immediately intrigued and drove there the next day to check it out. What I found was very cool!

Dry land bush vines about 500 meters above sea level with the most amazing Table Mountain Sandstone soils. Unfortunately because of the age of the vines I was not keen on taking Grenache noir as it easily can be very watery up until 10 years of vine age. But the Garnacha Peluda was looking amazing! The first wine I made from this was a Rosé which got blended with the Agiorgitiko in 2024 for the Olifantriver Rosé. The next year I felt it was time to try these grapes for a dry red wine, and this is the final product.

A little info on Lledoner Pelut: it usually ripens about two weeks earlier than normal Grenache. It’s got little hairs on the bottom of the leaves, hence the name “Hairy Grenache”. It’s got a bit less alcohol than normal Grenache, with much more red fruits. Think bright red fruit with some light spice and a very nice saline finish.

The “Gerookte Snoek” - Smoking Fish label will from now on be used for all these younger and more interesting vineyards that might only be a single release.

The Lledoner Pelut vineyards up on Citrusdal Mountain

Tasting Notes: This wine is a unique, lighter alternative to typical heavy, high-alcohol Grenache, displaying high acidity and fresh red fruit, often compared to a "Pinot Noir of the North" in a South African context. Fragrant, with rose petals, spice, and dried herbs. Juicy and vibrant, dominated by strawberry and cherry fruit, with a lively, refreshing, and slightly grippy structure.

Food Pairing: This wine, a unique, hairy-leafed variant of Grenache, offers a refreshing style with high acidity and lower alcohol, making it versatile for pairing with savory, medium-bodied dishes. It pairs best with leaner, savory meats such as lamb, venison, turkey, or braised duck. It is also highly recommended with greek-style chicken, salmon, and savory vegetarian dishes.

ANALYSIS: ALC 13.77% | TA 7.2g/L | pH 3.42 | RS 1.6g/L