Zonnebloem-Shiraz.png
Zonnebloem-Shiraz.png
Zonnebloem-Shiraz.png
Zonnebloem-Shiraz.png

Zonnebloem Shiraz | Stellenbosch, South Africa

£11.70

Zonnebloem offers a range of full-bodied wines that are well-structured to showcase varietal character with rich, robust flavours, yet remaining accessible and easy to drink.

100% Shiraz packed with perfectly ripe black fruit and subtle vanilla oak ageing.

One of South Africa's oldest wine brands, it dates from 1892 when Willem Malherbe inherited half of the family farm (established 1682) in Simondium, Paarl and names it Zonnebloem, meaning ‘Sunflower’.

The farm was bought and improved by Willem Daniel Furter, who’s sudden death saw his daughter take over. South Africa’s first female wine maker Marie Furter, aged 21, won 3 trophies in the 1940 Paarl Wine show. She taught her skills to the new owner and brother-in-law John de Villiers; but again became directly involved in winemaking upon his death in 1948. With her husband Maurice Close the farm was bought in 1956, but unable to justify the investment required for a new winery they focused on just growing grapes for local co-operatives. Marie died in 1988 and the farm was sold in 2003.

The female heritage continues today with production being run by an all-woman winemaking team. Cellar master Elize Coetzee started at the winery in 2005, Kelly-Marie Jacobs the white wine maker joined in 2016 and red winemaker Bonny van Niekerk has two decades of experience, including time in California.

Zonnebloem offers a range of full-bodied wines that are well-structured to showcase varietal character with rich, robust flavours, yet remaining accessible and easy to drink.

100% Shiraz packed with perfectly ripe black fruit and subtle vanilla oak ageing.

One of South Africa's oldest wine brands, it dates from 1892 when Willem Malherbe inherited half of the family farm (established 1682) in Simondium, Paarl and names it Zonnebloem, meaning ‘Sunflower’.

The farm was bought and improved by Willem Daniel Furter, who’s sudden death saw his daughter take over. South Africa’s first female wine maker Marie Furter, aged 21, won 3 trophies in the 1940 Paarl Wine show. She taught her skills to the new owner and brother-in-law John de Villiers; but again became directly involved in winemaking upon his death in 1948. With her husband Maurice Close the farm was bought in 1956, but unable to justify the investment required for a new winery they focused on just growing grapes for local co-operatives. Marie died in 1988 and the farm was sold in 2003.

The female heritage continues today with production being run by an all-woman winemaking team. Cellar master Elize Coetzee started at the winery in 2005, Kelly-Marie Jacobs the white wine maker joined in 2016 and red winemaker Bonny van Niekerk has two decades of experience, including time in California.

Origin: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Grapes: Shiraz

Tasting Notes: Dark red colour and a classic Shiraz bouquet with an abundance of plums, dark berry and black pepper spice aromas. The palate is full-bodied and rich with dark berry flavours supported by well-integrated oak flavours. Perfectly balanced with bold tannins and a lingering aftertaste.

ABV: 13.0%

Vintage: 2023

Attributes: Vegan, oaked

Closure: Cork

Vineyards & Terroir: The grapes are sourced from mainly trellised vineyards in Stellenbosch Kloof, Helderberg and Devon Valley. Mostly south-west facing, deriving the maximum benefit from cooling maritime breezes that contribute to the slow ripening of the grapes and concentrated fruit flavours.

Winemaking: The different vineyard blocks are separately vinified. Each tank was cold-soaked for three to five days. Fermentation on the skins for 10 to 12 days at 26°C with the juice racked off the skins and the skins then pressed for more extraction. After malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged in new and second-fill small oak barrels.

Farming:

Sustainability info:

Ageing potential: 5 - 8 years

Food pairing suggestions: serve  with red meat, venison, casseroles and stews as well as spicy kebabs, roasted pork and wild mushroom dishes.

Winery / Winemaker: Isabel Habets (Viticulturist); Elize Coetzee (Cellar Master) / Bonny van Niekerk (Winemaker)

Winery link:

Awards: