Fundi (Stellekaya) 2007

Platter Guide

51% Merlot, 29% Pinotage & 20% Cabernet Sauvignon

The vineyards

Stellekaya is a privately owned boutique wine producer. Our cellar is located in the famous town of Stellenbosch and we source all of our grapes from producers in this appellation. From the outset we have focused on producing wines from noble red varietals. Today we are proud to produce a collection of red wines that typify the Stellenbosch terroir and also meet international super-premium quality standards. The vineyards are situated on well drained slopes of decomposing sandstone and rich clays. Many of these vineyards overlook False Bay and enjoy cooling sea breezes each evening. Stellekaya’s 23ha property is not in production yet, so grapes are sourced from producers in the area from soils and aspects much the same as ours. Care is taken to limit yields and to apply techniques to ensure that vigour of the plant is controlled to ensure that the fruit is of the highest possible quality and is picked at optimum ripeness.

The harvest

Grapes were hand picked at full ripeness in early March 2007. We handpicked the fruit into small lug boxes and transported it to our cellar nearby.

The winemaker

Born and raised in KwaZulu-Natal, Nontsikelelo Biyela was selected for a bursary programme to study a BSc in Oenology at Stellenbosch University. Her sponsor was the national airline, SAA. While studying, Ntsiki did practical assignments in the cellar and tasting room at Delheim on the Stellenbosch Wine Route. She graduated in 2003 and joined Stellekaya as junior winemaker in 2004, under the eye of Peet le Roux. Ntsiki took over the winemaking in 2005, and has now completed four harvests at Stellekaya. Being a small cellar, she is involved in all levels of production from the vineyard through to the bottle.

Winemaking process

Each season we crush and vinify seven noble red varietals. These find their way into our six wines made up of three varietals and three blends or fusions as we like to call them. The wines are matured for between 12 and 22 months in the barrel followed by a bottle maturation period. We currently produce about 10 000 6-bottle cases of wine annually in keeping with our boutique style.

Tasting note

A rich melange of summer berries with smooth and juicy fruits on the palate. A Cape blend benchmarking a new trend in New World wine styles.

Food pairing suggestion

A rich Cape bobotie, ostrich wrapped in bacon on a spice-and-nut couscous, or springbok, herb and red wine pie.

Analysis

Alcohol: 14%
pH: 3.70
Residual sugar: 3.0 g/l
Total acid: 5.7 g/l