Rodanos

Venison and cassoulet.

In 1984 Neil Ellis sourced grapes from vineyards not of his own and produced wine in rented cellar space. These grapes were sourced in the Stellenbosch district and meant a lot of nosing around the restrictive quota system prevalent at the time. His vision the pursuit of quality extended out of the cellar and into the vineyards where varieties would excel and best express a particular style of wine reflective of their environment. Today the experience and knowledge of the past are applied to modern techniques and technologies for a new generation of winemaking. “Our vision remains to make distinctive refined wines that are expressive of their terrain and rank amongst South Africa’s finest. A pursuit of quality nothing less.” Neil Ellis

Rodanos is a multi-vineyard blend where vineyards are combined with artistic and scientific skill in the cellar. It acknowledges the art, technology and science of vineyard blending. Exquisite parcels of fruit from single vineyards in Groenekloof and Piekenierskloof were identified for this blend. Harvest commenced earlier than usual on 20th of February and carried throught to the 3rd week of March. Grapes were harvested between 24.5 and 25.5°B with a total acid of 7 g/ℓ and a pH of 3.4. Yield: 3-6.5 tons/ha.

This wine spent 14 months in 500 ℓ French oak barrels of which 25% was 1st fill, 50% 3rd fill and 25% neutral oak.

Fermentation initiated in stainless steel tanks and underwent a series of punch downs and pump-overs until dry. 30% wholebunch fermentation was allowed.