Ultimate Guide To Africa January 2015 | Page 34

Feature wine

Take Time to
Smell the Rosie
Text & Image © Manley Communications

R

ugby, sports tourism and history are the unusual
confluence of factors in a R40-million IrishSouth African collaboration resulting in a new
landmark wine estate project trading under the name
Doran Vineyards on the farm Far Horizons in the VoorPaardeberg area of the Western Cape. 


Irish sports tourism specialist and wine connoisseur
Edwin Doran and his long-time friend, Constantia wine
route pioneer Andre Badenhorst, have joined forces
in what they refer to as “two old buggers having fun”.
But the new venture, 15 km from Wellington and 40
km from Riebeek Kasteel, is by no means a whimsical
escapade. 

The new cellar, which was created out of the
former milking shed on the farm, now holds the estateproduced Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet
Franc, Mourvèdre, Chenin Blanc and Rosé in varioussized barrels.
Doran Vineyards’ recently released Rosie D captures
summer perfectly, with freshly cut strawberry and
raspberry aromas carried by flavours of rose water and
candyfloss.
The grapes were picked at 21 Balling, cooled overnight
to 5˚C, de-stemmed and crushed the next morning, and
left for two hours of skin contact resulting in the wine’s
tickled pink colour. This was followed by a delicate
press cycle to ensure optimum freshness. The wine was
fermented at 11˚C, resulting in slow even fermentation
over 20 days, respecting the fruit and freshness and
securing it into the bottle.
The cellar door price of the wine is R59.00.
For more information visit www.doranvineyards.co.za.
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