Punchion Pinot Noir

Beef, Veal, Game (deer, venison), Poultry

Villiera is a family run winery situated in the Stellenbosch region, producing a range of still wines and recognised as one of South Africa’s leading Cap Classique producers. It is a pioneering, innovative, quality wine company committed to preserving the environment. The cellar is solar powered and there is an on-going greening project (well over 100 000 indigenous trees have been planted in the past few years). Villiera is also committed to education and upliftment of their staff and their families. Villiera Wines is also home to the Villiera Wildlife Sanctuary (220 Ha) Visitors are guaranteed fantastic sightings of a diverse population of antelope, for example Gemsbok, Burchell’s Zebra, Kudu, Eland, Springbok, Bontebok, Giraffe, Wildebeest etc. as well as other small mammals and a huge diversity of birdlife attracted by the 12 dams and marsh areas. On a clear day one has a beautiful panoramic view of the mountains overlooking the Cape Peninsula.

The Pinot Noir was hand harvest early in the morning to ensure quality. 70% of the grapes were then destalked using a hand de-stalker, set to keep berries whole and the remaining 30% was kept whole bunch.

The wine was in barrel for 10 months before bottling. At bottling the wine went through a rough filter.

The winemaking philosophy involves minimal intervention throughout the whole process. This wine went through spontaneous fermentation and MLF. It was fermented in open “punchions” (400L barrels) with 30% whole bunch split between the top and bottom for different flavour profiles. The stalks add to the structure and tannin grip. The wine spent 10 days post fermentation on the skins for better tannin integration. 20% of the wine went into new French oak with the rest into used French oak barrels.