Meerendal is a 305-year old wine estate steeped in history. The story of this magnificent wine estate started in 1714 when Christina Stans, widow of the first owner, planted 60,000 vines on the rolling hills of Meerendal. Together these hills and valleys provide an almost endless variety of slopes, soil types and micro climates that make it possible to grow a range of classic cultivars with equal success. The Durbanville area is amongst the coolest wine-growing areas in the Cape Winelands and benefits from receiving very little rain during the summer.
Meerendal Wine Estate has developed into one of South Africa’s top wine estates under the guidance of current owners, Herman and Aletta Coertze. True to the Meerendal tradition, winemaking has been in a woman’s hands since 1998. Following in the footsteps of Christina Stans, the current cellar master Liza Goodwin is always striving to produce unique wines of outstanding quality. The team is also dedicated to giving back to the community through the involvement in charities such as Songo, Food Cycle and the Bigfeet Elephant Foundation.
At Meerendal, there is a strong focus on producing the best and most interesting Pinotage.
The Pinotage Vine
The grapes for this wine are sourced from two vineyards, including a bush vine vineyard that was planted in 1955. This unique wine is transferred into barrels for 11 months after which it goes through a third fermentation on lightly pressed skins of the current vintage from the 64-year-old vineyard. Another 7 months is spent in small French oak barrels before bottling. The resulting wine is dark in colour, rich in black plum flavours with a touch of sweet spice on the nose. Lovely soft tannins add to the long elegant finish.
Heritage Block Pinotage
Grapes for this wine is from the oldest block in Durbanville planted in 1955, producing a yield of 3 tons per hectare. The final wine is matured for 16 months in small French oak barrels. The resulting wine is full and well-rounded with a deep, opaque purple colour and spicy red and black fruit aromas supported by strong bramble, prune, plum, dark cherry and spice flavours.
Intensio Classico Pinotage
This extraordinary wine was created using a traditional Italian technique from the region of Veneto.
“The aim when INTENSIO was produced was to realise in the finished wine the intensity of colour, flavour and tannins present in the vine dried grapes so typical of the red wines from the Veneto region, in Italy. Yet in every way so different because of its South African heritage – this wine with all its intricate layers personifies the vast richness, culture and beauty that is South Africa.” – Liza Goodwin
This off dry wine shows a vibrancy and freshness although it is very powerful and full bodied. Intense tannins and extract seamlessly integrate with the delicate fruit. The oak is not too overt, although it spent 15 months in barrel.
Very recently, Meerendal Intensio Classico 2018 has been recognized and awarded Gold by Asia Import News Wine & Spirits Awards 2020.
Interview of Mr. Herman Coertze – Owner
Question 1: Do you already export to Asia ? If yes, where ? If no, what type of importers & distributors are you looking for in Asia ?
No, we currently do not export to Asia, but would like to launch the Meerendal brand with importers and distributors focused on building long-term relationships in this very promising market.
Question 2: What is the most unique and qualitative part of your products, different from competitors ?
Meerendal was one of the first 12 wine estates established in South Africa. Some of the first Pinotage plantings were done at Meerendal and the farm still harvests and makes wine from a Pinotage bushvine block dating back to 1955. In addition, Pinotage is expressed in four unique ways from the same terroir.
Question 3: When did you start to export your brand worldwide, and what is your development plan for the next years ?
Meerendal Wines were EXPORTED from 1974 (at the time by Bergkelder)
Thank you Mr. Herman Coertze for your time and answers !
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