Shiraz

This Shiraz pairs well with rich dishes such as grilled meats, stews, and mature cheeses. The wine's complex flavor profile and firm tannins make it a versatile match for hearty meals, enhancing the dining experience with its depth and structure​.

Some people describe Luddite Shiraz as Niels Verburg contained in a glass; Niels is six foot four and when he smiles appears to be beaming an embrace in your direction. As a young winemaker traveling the world Niels confirmed his love for Shiraz when working a harvest in Australia but it was a winery in Chile that inspired his wine-making method ‘It was as if I’d gone back 20 years it was ramshackle chaotic but they had great fruit and passion and I’d never seen that quality of wine.’

The grapes for this vintage were harvested from the Luddite vineyard's Young and Old Blocks in Bot River. These blocks were picked in mid-February, with favorable weather conditions leading to a good crop and vibrant vines. The harvest saw grapes with ripeness achieved at lower sugar levels, contributing to the wine's balanced profile​.

After completing malolactic fermentation in the tank, the wine was aged for two years in French oak barrels, with 15% being new oak. This aging process enhanced the wine's complexity and structure. Small amounts of Mourvèdre and Cabernet Sauvignon were added to fill out the mid-palate, adding further depth​.

The 2021 Shiraz was fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and open fermenters, with cooler fermentation temperatures to retain fruit expression.