The Corkless Mind

Category: News

  • Groot Constantia harnesses people-power to go solar with Sun Exchange

    Groot Constantia harnesses people-power to go solar with Sun Exchange

    Groot Constantia, South Africa’s oldest wine-producing farm and a world-renowned tourist destination, has partnered with Sun Exchange (www.sunexchange.com), an innovative solar leasing platform, to harness the power of community and go solar. A crowdsale for a 165 kilowatt (kW) solar plant to power Groot Constantia’s winemaking facilities and restaurants is now being hosted on the Sun Exchange platform. Through this crowd sale, people across South Africa and the globe can easily buy solar cells for R64.00 per cell, which will be installed in the solar plant that will power Groot Constantia. Once the 43,448 available solar cells are sold, the solar plant is built and starts generating electricity. Via the Sun Exchange platform, Groot Constantia will pay solar cell owners for the clean energy they produce for 20 years. The solar project crowd sale will run throughout the month of July until all solar cells sell out.


    The Sun Exchange model enables Groot Constantia to access solar power at a rate lower than standard utility rates, while solar cell owners earn a stream of solar-powered income and support the estate’s transition to clean energy. The solar plant will help avoid an estimated 4,700 tonnes of carbon emissions in its lifetime. “For centuries, Groot Constantia has been a place where people from across South Africa and the world come together to enjoy great wine and South Africa’s heritage and natural beauty. Now, we’re looking to the future and working with Sun Exchange to bring together a global community to be part of our solar project. This enables us to protect and conserve that heritage and natural beauty,” said Jean Naudé, CEO, of Groot Constantia. Groot Constantia is committed to conserving the environment in which it operates, and on which it relies, and has a long history of implementing initiatives to ensure it does no harm through its farming practices.

    The estate has invested significant time and resources on refining responsible production practices by spearheading innovations in water, energy efficiency and climate adaptation, and integrated environmental management systems. Its transition to solar power is the next step in its commitment to conservation. “Groot Constantia is a cultural and historical icon and an environmental leader. We’re honoured to have Sun Exchange and our global community be part of their solar power journey,” said Abraham Cambridge, CEO, of Sun Exchange. “This project will set a precedent across South Africa’s wine and tourism industries, demonstrating that transitioning away from fossil fuels is the best decision not only from a climate perspective but also financially.”

    Since its founding in 2015, Sun Exchange has enabled solar power for more than 60 businesses, farms, schools and other organisations in Southern Africa. Its solar projects have generated more than 12 Gigawatt-hours of clean energy, avoiding more than 12,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. Thousands of people from 180 countries worldwide use the Sun Exchange platform to buy and own solar cells, produce clean electricity and earn with purpose. The Sun Exchange vision is a world where all people and organisations can harness affordable clean energy to ensure a healthy planet for future generations.


    Media Contacts

    • Sun Exchange – Salomé Bronkhorst, salome.bronkhorst@thesunexchange.com, +27
      (0)79-388-2114 (www.sunexchange.com)
    • Groot Constantia (www.grootconstantia.co.za) – Lila Jutzen, lila.jutzen@grootconstantia.co.za, +27 (0)78-275 -4898
  • NEWS: Backsberg’s new official look and home

    NEWS: Backsberg’s new official look and home

    Revitalised and reimagined, Backsberg has re-launched their brand, cellar and brand home. Now situated in Franschhoek, wine lovers can enjoy a refreshed portfolio of Backsberg wines – with a contemporary look and feel – from their new tasting facility, which overlooks the majestic Mont Rochelle Mountain Range. I attended the launch of their new home this week, and what a fabulous venue it is. A beautiful mix of historic nostalgia and modern opulence.

    Believing in always forging ahead, this update of the Backsberg Brand was inspired by DGB acquiring a majority shareholding and the start of a new journey as ‘Backsberg Family Wines’ with Simon Back representing the family on the board. “For more than a century Backsberg has been an iconic brand in the Cape Wine industry and we are excited to share our new direction for the winery which celebrates generations of family tradition in a modern and contemporary way”, says Tim Hutchinson, Executive Chairman of DGB. 

    Paying homage to the original Backs wine label that was prominent prior to the 1970s, the new Backsberg logo focuses on embodying the brand values in a timeless design. 

    Backberg’s new portfolio of wines includes three collections – Fifth Generation, Family Tree and Patriarch. In the Fifth Generation you’ll find 9 predominantly single varietal wines, each named after a special and significant place on the farm – Gravel Road Chenin Blanc, Hillside Sauvignon Blanc, Citrus Hill Chardonnay, Summer Berry Rosé, Ella Pinotage Rosé, Old Cellar Dry Red, Blueberry Row Pinotage, Plum Valley Merlot and Four Pillars Cabernet Sauvignon. Here you’ll find an offering of easy-drinking, exceptional wines with fresh and exciting flavours. 

    For life’s special moments, the Family Tree range includes the John Martin Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend, Pumphouse Shiraz and the Smuggled Vines Chardonnay – a collection which honours the people and places which have made significant contributions to the wineries history. 

    The Patriarch, Backsberg Family Wines’ hero bottle of Cabernet Franc, pays special tribute to the Iconic winemaking legend, Sydney Back. It upholds a strong sense of tradition and inclusivity of all members of the Backsberg family – from in the vineyards to around the dinner table. The complete range of Backsberg wines will be verified as “Carbon Neutral” by the end of July and a decal on each bottle will highlight this recognition and commitment to the environment.

    The brand new tasting facility was built around an integral piece of history – a century year old tractor, which was transferred from the original estate to its new home in Franschhoek. Vintage wine-making equipment owned by the Back family is on display in the new venue, adding a museum-like element for visitors to enjoy. Placing great importance on sustainability, items from the farm such as barrels and wood chips have been repurposed to create lighting, furniture and design elements, fashioning a truly authentic look and feel to the new space. 

    The design and prime-positioning of the new cellar itself is something to behold. “One is often not privy to the heart of cellar action and that’s precisely what you’ll find here, a working winery with a majestic backdrop. One can even gaze directly into the cellar through the magnificent glass doors and is enveloped by the sights and sounds of daily winemaking life. The views are unparalleled and the wines stupendous”, says Backsberg’s Marketing Manager, Bianca Lenhardt. 

    In a move to cement Backsberg’s reputation as a crafter of fine wines the Kosher range has been re-positioned as Sydney Back Kosher Wines  and has been brought to life in larger than life form on an exterior tank at the entrance to the brand home. 

    To complement your wine tasting experience, a selection of pairings, both sweet and savoury, as well as grazing-boards and picnics in the summer months are on offer. Expect delightful dishes infused with local flavours such as fynbos salt-infused crackers, waterblommetjie wontons, a seasonal salad jar, smoked snoek samosas, trout spring rolls and an exciting wine jelly pairing, to name a few. 

    The Backsberg family can’t wait to welcome you to taste their latest collection of wines, browse historical memorabilia and soak up the magic of the natural surroundings that envelop their new home. 

    Opening hours: 10h00 – 18h00 Wednesday to Sunday

    Address: Backsberg Family Wines, Main Road R45, Franschhoek, 7690

    Socials: @backsberg 

  • Early birthday celebrations with SA’S oldest wine-producing farm

    Early birthday celebrations with SA’S oldest wine-producing farm

    On the 13th of July, Cape Town’s iconic Groot Constantia Estate celebrates its 337th birthday, cementing its status as the oldest wine-producing farm in South Africa – and there is good reason to start celebrating early. Adding to the estate’s reputation of consistent quality is its much-lauded flagship wine, Grand Constance, which recently received the National Wine Challenge Special Award for Wine Consistency and the Grand Cru ‘Best in Class’ Award.


    Groot Constantia’s world-famous wine continues to shine as it claims the spot with one of three wines in South Africa which have achieved more than seven top 100 positions annually, with Grand Constance leading the charge with 11 wins over a period of 12 years. To this day, Grand Constance undeniably remains the grand dame of sweet wines.

    Hundreds of years ago, the wine produced at Groot Constantia began to receive international acclaim for its superior quality, and emperors and kings – such as Frederick the Great of Prussia, Napoleon and Louis Philippe (King of the French) – were all known to be great lovers of Groot Constantia wines (translated Grand Constance into the French) which also means“consistency”.


    “The iconic Grand Constance wine that we produce at Groot Constantia is in effect the essence of the Estate. We are immensely proud of our Grand Constance, and humbled to be able to continue to produce this wine, and for it to consistently bring home awards. It is a 300-year-old legacy that we are custodians of, and the team strives to ensure that we interpret and honour it meticulously so that this special wine can continue to be appreciated on a world stage,” says Groot Constantia winemaker, Boela Gerber.


    As a provincial heritage site and a living museum, Groot Constantia has always been one of Cape Town’s most important destinations and is a member of the Cape Town Big 6 tourist attractions. It is not hard to see why the estate is a favourite for locals and visitors alike – and has been for centuries.


    Groot Constantia has been welcoming visitors to the estate for more than 300 years and has a long track record as a must-visit location in the Cape. In fact, 160 years ago, JP Cloete (the then owner of Groot Constantia), produced one of the earliest known tourist attraction adverts in South Africa, marketing Groot Constantia and giving detailed directions to the estate – making it the first-ever wine route map in SA. The advert also affirms Groot Constantia’s standing as the original source of the iconic Constantia Wines that have been celebrated across the world.

    For the modern-day visitor – be it wine lovers, fun-seeking families, tourists, social explorers, or anyone looking for a memorable and unique location in the Cape – Groot Constantia offers a wonderful day out, immersed in a rich sense of history and wine culture, accompanied by gorgeous views and outdoor spaces, exceptional wines, delicious food and fun for the whole family.


    The Estate offers a Visitors Route Experience that allows you to walk back in time by following a specially designed circular route that takes visitors to the historical key attractions at Groot Constantia. The original Manor House at Groot Constantia (which is an Iziko Museum) is the starting point for the Visitors Route Experience. After this, guests make their way to the famed Cloete Cellar, which is the original wine production cellar from 1791. This historic cellar was where the famous Grand Constance wine was produced, and now the cellar houses a museum and unique tasting room. Old carriages, winemaking memorabilia and a collection of old Grand Constance bottles sourced from all over the world are among the things to see in the Cloete Cellar Museum. After exploring the modern production cellar for a tour and wine tasting, visitors are then welcome to venture into the vineyards for the self-guided audio Vineyard Tour.

    Groot Constantia has two top restaurants, Jonkershuis and Simon’s. Both have children’s menus and outdoor dining options. There is also free Wi-Fi at Groot Constantia, which covers an extensive area – including all of the buildings – making the enjoyment and exploration of the estate that much more fun as guests can share their experiences in real-time with friends and family across the world.

    The estate is inviting all wine lovers and casual visitors to come and enjoy the 337-year-old Groot Constantia celebratory experience.

    For more information visit www.grootconstantia.co.za or connect with Groot Constantia via social media on
    Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @GrootConstantia.

    *Sponsored post*

  • Van Ryn’s 20 year-old Brandy awarded best in the world

    Van Ryn’s 20 year-old Brandy awarded best in the world

    South Africa is celebrating with the announcement that the locally produced Van Ryn’s 20-year-old potstill brandy has been awarded World’s Best Wine Brandy at the 2022 World Brandy Awards.

    The World Brandy Awards which see the finest brandies enter from around the world, is presented by TheDrinksReport.com, and rewards and promotes the world’s best spirits to global consumers and trade. 

    Each entry is tasted blind and marked to an agreed and strictly enforced scoring system. As well as nose, palate, and finish, judges review balance, character, complexity, and quality. 

    “This World’s Best title is the highest accolade any master distiller aims for. Our commitment to innovation, quality and the art of crafting exceptional brandy, comes full circle with yet another global recognition,” says Van Ryn’s Master Blender, Marlene Bester.”

    “The 20-year-old brandy is timeless and grandiose. The brandy captures the tradition of hand-crafted, authentic potstill brandy; a tradition we continue today, following in the footsteps of our founders who achieved Van Ryn’s first international award as far back as 1884.”  

    The Van Ryn’s 20-year-old potstill brandy started its journey as Chenin Blanc and Colombar wine. This base wine was then distilled in copper pot stills, one of which is over 200 years old and still used daily! The low wine coming off the stills was separated into three parts: the head, heart, and tail. Only the clear and pure liquid from the heart is used to craft Van Ryn’s brandies, and after a second distillation prepared for maturation.

    It’s during the maturation process where the brandy comes alive. When the colourless spirit is drawn off the potstills, the hand-selected oak barrels allow the brandy to come into character, developing the beautiful golden hues and concentrated flavours over twenty years. 

    The 20-year-old potstill brandy is a rich, decadent brandy, with delicate sweet vanilla, spice, and rose water, ending with a supremely velvety finish. 

    For the complete list of the 2022 World Brandy Awards visit the World Brandy Awards.

  • Fall in love (again) with Delheim Cabernet Sauvignon

    Fall in love (again) with Delheim Cabernet Sauvignon

    Renowned Stellenbosch wine estate releases its 2018 vintage 

    February is a time of first loves. For wine cognoscenti, that passion belongs to Delheim Estate and its Cabernet Sauvignon, whose 2018 vintage has just been released.

    The 2018 vintage was a recovery year for the vines, recalls winemaker Roelof Lotriet. They were emerging from years of debilitating drought. Ideal conditions during vineyard growth phase meant the bottled results are exceptional.

    It has already claimed Gold at Veritas 2021 and awarded 91 points by Master of Wine Tim Atkin.

    “The wine shows classic Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon characteristics on the nose,” says Roelof. “There’s the lead pencil shavings, tobacco leaf and blackcurrant, which follow through on the palate with an inflow of ripe red-berries and fine tannins. Its finish is long and silky.

    “It will continue to improve long after vintage,” he adds.

    It is perhaps a fitting metaphor for Delheim Estate’s own great love story – that of Spatz and Vera, founders of the estate’s Sperling legacy in Stellenbosch. Among their many contributions, the couple were co-founders of the Stellenbosch Wine Route, South Africa’s first of its kind, in 1971.

    Vera still often tells the tale of how Spatz proposed marriage only two weeks after they’d met. He caught everyone off-guard, even Vera, by making the announcement at a small, informal gathering one afternoon in the gardens at Delheim. “When he’d told everyone we were to be married, he looked at me and said quietly, ’I hope you don’t mind!’,” Vera chuckles.

    Their journey continued to improve long after “vintage” too, but not without many challenges along the way. In the case of their prized Cabernet Sauvignon, vineyards had to be replanted in 2010 and a massive veld fire tore through the area in 2016. 

    Spatz passed away in 2017, though his love for Vera had nonetheless stood the test of time. 

    He recognised the rarity of this union when he named Delheim’s Vera Cruz vineyards. It’s a subtle play on the Mexican state of the same name, but Spatz always said it referred to the cross – or Cruz, in Spanish – that Vera had to bear in choosing him to share her life’s journey.

    Spatz arrived in South Africa from Germany in 1951. At just 20-years-old, he’d signed up to help his uncle and aunt on their farm, Delheim. Over decades he got to understand the terroir of the farm and Simonsberg landscape, gradually refining the best sites and associated grape varieties.

    “Delheim has been making wine for over 80 years and has understood the value of having a good foundation for not only for success but making world class wines. That foundation has been Cabernet Sauvignon,” says Roelof.

    He says the parable of the wise man building his house upon rock was instilled in him at a young age. “The location we have on the lower slopes of the Simonsberg mountain, the right soil and meticulous attention given to the vines and wine makes Cabernet Sauvignon the rock we build our house upon.”

    The first single variety Cabernet Sauvignon wine bottled under the Delheim name was produced in 1958. The vineyards that produce Delheim’s premium Cabernet Sauvignon at Vera Cruz were established by Spatz after he acquired the 80ha of prime red-wine land on Klapmutskop. 

    Further reflecting Delheim Estate’s commitment to the variety is its membership of the Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective, a collaboration of select wineries to whom quality is paramount. Its premier aim is to establish international recognition for the world-class standard of Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon through rigorous peer review.

    The Delheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 sells for R250 and is available online from https://www.delheim.com/shop-online/, with free delivery on all orders over R1 200. The wine may also be found on winelists of leading restaurants and wine shops around the country.

    For more information or direct wine orders contact Delheim Estate at tel: 021 888 4600 or email: info@delheim.com. Delheim is on Twitter and Facebook as @Delheim, and Instagram as @DelheimWines.

  • A Taste of Franschhoek

    A Taste of Franschhoek

    *Disclaimer: I have been hosted at both wineries. All views are my own and not paid for. All extra expenses were paid for by myself* 

    The valley of Franschhoek has many things to offer the avid foodie, wine aficionado and even the keen adventurer. Having lived most of my life in the beautiful Cape, I am not as well travelled as I would like to be, however this leaves me with an excuse to venture out and explore our bountiful province as much as I possibly can. A few weeks ago, I was invited to visit La Motte for the Harvest experience and GlenWood Winery for their gourmet sushi and wine offering and words cannot express what a lovely experience it really was, with that said have a look at these photos I took along with what I can best describe as being, utterly delicious! 

    La Motte

    In the vineyard

    Enjoy an introduction to the various varietals from Cabernet Sauvignon to Cabernet Franc, harvest processes are passionately and carefully explained for the layman or wine professional.Spot the differences between the various varieties and taste the sweetness of the ripe berries.

    Interesting fact – La Motte practices biologic production. Additional grapes are obtained from other affiliated family-owned farms and La Motte-managed vineyards situated in various regions. This adds versatility to the grapes supplied to the La Motte cellar. Passionate about terroir, La Motte enjoys WWF Conservation Championship status, with the objective of keeping biodiversity intact.

    In the cellar

    Experience the hand-sorting of grapes, crushing, pump-overs and other cellar activities, concluded with a tasting of grape must (fermenting grape juice) from a fermentation tank.

    In the tasting room 

    Sit down to a tasting of La Motte’s award-winning collection of wines – five wines from the La Motte Collection as well as the two wines from the estate’s renowned Pierneef Collection. My personal favourites are the 2018 Pierneef Syrah Viognier, the exquisite 2015 Hanneli R Syrah based blend and of course what would life be without a fantastic glass of MCC, the La Motte Methode Cap Classique is an absolute knock out of a bubbly!

    What followed was a tranquil brunch underneath the age-old oaks. A special harvest lunch prepared by award-winning Chef Eric Bullpit and his talented team to end of a wonderful experience at La Motte. I couldn’t leave without a few bottles of the syrah viognier and of course their famous mosbolletjie loaf! I would drive the 35 +- minute trip just to visit again any day! Their Harvest experiences runs every year open to the public from the second week of February to the end of March. Bookings are essential. 

    GlenWood 

    The wine and the estate.

    Situated in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley (and slightly off the beaten track). Developed in 1984, GlenWood has established itself as a sought-after wine producer in local and international markets. With 25 ha under vine from which they produce close to 90,000 bottles annually, adhering strictly to sustainable farming guidelines, applying best labour practices and protecting their indigenous fynbos. The farm is surrounded by beautiful scenery, lush oaks and lawn with plenty of space of your furry friends and kids to play on. Owner Alastair Wood served us a glass of their Grand Duc Chardonnay, refreshingly light with a touch of body, a perfect accompaniment to their utterly delicious sushi. 


    The Food

    With a high-end sushi restaurant situated on the premises guests get the opportunity to enjoy sushi accompanied by their wines in an idyllic outdoor setting looking out to the grand Franschhoek mountains, this certainly makes for a unique sushi and wine experience. GlenWood proves to have the ingredients for a memorable winelands lunch experience. 

    To book your unique sushi experience: 

    GlenWood 

    Email: info@glenwoodvineyards.co.za

    Telephone: +27 (0)21 8762044

    Physical Address: Robertsvlei Road | Franschhoek | 7690 | South Africa

    Special thanks to the La Motte and GlenWood teams for the warm and gracious hospitality!

    Cheers x