Driefontein Syrah

Beef brasato with pappardelle and mint.

Jasper Raats is the shareholder, cellar master and managing director of Longridge Wine Estate, as well as partner in Vigneron Consulting, an international consulting business. The consultancy shares valuable knowledge to a select group of clients, particularly focusing on organic and biodynamic viticulture and oenology. In fact, it was through this consulting business that his relationship with Longridge first started. Jasper has established himself as one of the most talented winemakers in South Africa and first gained prominence for wines he created in New Zealand. In 2003, he started working as viticulturist and winemaker at New Zealand’s Clos Henri in the Marlborough region, developing a new vineyard and making wine for French Company, Henri Bourgeois. During this period, he also started Koru Wines, which became one of New Zealand’s top and most expensive wines. His international experience includes working in Burgundy, Pouilly Fume, Sancerre and in Napa and Sonoma under Pierre Seillan, the genial French creator of Vérité Wines.

Rooted in the oldest viticulture soil in the world, it is made up of decomposed granite on the lower slopes of the Helderberg Mountain. This vineyard enjoyed the refreshingly cool breezes from False Bay (Atlantic Ocean) during the day and cool night air flowing down the mountain, resulting in even ripening of the berries and good natural acidity. The macro climate is maritime, with cold wet winters and dry, warm summers. The two-hectare single vineyard vines are meticulously cared for by hand to ensure maximum quality. Organic and biodynamic practices are employed, which includes not using any pesticides, herbicides or chemical sprays. In addition, farm produced compost, teas and biodynamic preparations are employed. The fruit was hand-picked in small lug boxes and the crop was reduced to ensure that only the perfect grapes were used for this wine.

Aged in 20% new French Oak barrels.

Biodynamic practices were also followed in the cellar. In the winery, the grapes were sorted twice – firstly as whole bunches and then as berries to ensure that only the best grapes reach the fermentation tank.