Kat Met Die Houtbeen

This wine pairs excellently with shellfish, rich fish (like salmon or tuna), and vegetarian dishes due to its fresh acidity and complex structure​.

The name originates from the founder of Hermanus Hermanus Pieters who in 1855 helped take a little fisherman’s village and turn it into the town it is today. This name has given them the title of longest Afrikaans name for a cellar in the world. Their wines are just as uniquely named with the HPF brand being the only wine cellar in South Africa to use Afrikaans-only names. The non-serious attitude has also led to a well-loved reputation as a fun and laid-back winery with the owner commenting that “while we don’t take ourselves seriously we’re serious about making good wines”.

The grapes come from the Sondagskloof area, grown at altitudes of 287-338 meters. The soils are well-drained with high clay content, which helps retain water and promotes a balanced vine growth. The vineyard yield is around 8 tons per hectare, ensuring concentrated flavors in the grapes​.

While approachable now, this wine is built for longevity and can be cellared for up to 7 years to allow further complexity to develop under optimal conditions​.

After harvest, the wine is fermented in 500-liter French oak barrels (80% old, 20% new) with extended lees contact, including monthly barrel rolling to enhance texture. It is aged for 12 months in oak, followed by an additional 12 months of bottle maturation before release​.