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Dear Kanonkop Wine Friend
Join us as we celebrate the arrival of the first grapes for the 2024 harvest. Our cellar team has made all the necessarry preparations to make sure that they are ready and equipped for the earliest harvest we've seen here on Kanonkop, that kicked off on the 24th January with our Pinotage, which is about 10 days earlier than average.
The 2024 harvest is not only early, but we expect it to be a fairly quick one too, with many of the blocks ripening at the same time. "We are excited about the quality we're seeing thus far, and also thankful for the extra production space that we now have at Ladybird cellar to assist us with getting each vineyard picked at the optimal time" says Abrie. "Havest is early, very early and the Pinotage grape yields are less this season. We are however excited about the Black Label Pinotage grapes that is on time to celebrate the 2nd of February, 365 years of Winemaking in South Africa" says Annelie Viljoen.
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Winemaking at Kanonkop is a team effort, we would like to introduce the members of the team in the cellar under our Cellar Master Abrie Beeslaar:
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Francois van ZylBorn in George, grew up Robertson and started studying as a “young” 22 year old at Elsenburg in 1997, where he finished as the Dux student in 1998, Western Cape Agricultural student of the year, KWV viticulture student of the year as well as Vinfruco Pomology student of the year. Francois completed his cellar diploma in winemaking in 1999 and started working for Laibach towards the end of 1999. He has had extensive international winemaking experience with 10 vintages in Europe to enrich his knowledge of winemaking, working in Rioja, Pomerol, Margaux, Slovenia and Serbia.
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Ruan van SchalkwykRuan van Schalkwyk joined us in December 2021 in the role of Junior Winemaker. He grew up in Cape Town, and completed his BSc Earth Science degree at the University of Stellenbosch in 2013. His first harvest was in 2014 at Koelenhof Winery, where he soon realised that his technical knowledge of soils, combined with his new-found passion for wine, are quite complementary to each other. In the same year he had the opportunity to visit Oregon, where he completed a second harvest at Domaine Serene in Willamette Valley. He completed his diploma in Cellar Technology at Elsenburg.
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Christelle van NiekerkChristelle van Niekerk, recently promoted to Junior Winemaker on Kanonkop Estate. Originally a plattelandse meisie from Robertson, Christelle joined us 5 years ago to run our lab, after completing a BSC in Molecular Biology at Stellenbosch University. Chistelle is enjoying her time in the cellar, implementing the theory she learnt at Uni. When not working, she can be found with a fishing rod in hand, setting an example for sustainable, conservation based fishing practices.
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Suzaan KrigeSuzaan Krige, Ilse and co-owner Paul’s daughter had a passion to become a winemaker since her childhood where she grew up on Kanonkop Wine Estate. After obtaining a BCom Management Accounting degree in 2016 at the University of Stellenbosch, she worked for a wine-export company, Zidela Wines, where her passion for making wine remained. In 2019 she undertook B.Sc.Viticulture & Oenology and obtain her second degree in 2022 as top student. Suzaan has the following harvest experiences: Kanonkop (2021), Cederberg Wines (where she completed her internship in 2022) and De Grendel (2023). One of her goals for 2024 is to experience a harvest in France. We are proud to announce her appointment as assistant winemaker.
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Celebrating the Finest in Wine
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| Decanter Magazine - Classic Red Wine of the Year
Tina Gellie: Gorgeously seductive with its satin mouthfeel, silky tannins and flavours of smoked meat, saddle leather, green olives, plum skin sappiness and black fruit richness. Like diving into a cool, deep dark pool. Beautiful freshness, length and composure - pitch perfect for drinking now but will age very well. What a belter.
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| Wine Advocate - South African Report
"Big, bold and still iconic, the 2021 Black Label Pinotage is plush, juicy and ripe, with sappy layers of spiced plums, vanilla and oak spices that sway with a softly nutty essence and cherry compote. Full-bodied, the palate offers a beautifully spiced and firmly oaked expression with a rocky and earthy focus. It has dusty flowers and potpourri with plenty of hedonistic fruit and oak to last beyond its 20th birthday. Only 6,500 bottles were produced. The wine aged in 100% French oak barrels for 18 months. You'll be tempted to open it too young, but don't do it! Your patience will be rewarded"
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Ladybird Mixed Case Offer
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| Don't miss out on the Ladybird range mixed case offer, for the pocket-friendly price of only R699!
3 x 750ml Ladybird Red Blend 2019
3 x 750ml Ladybird Sur Lie Chenin Blanc 2021
Normal price: R840
You save: R141
** Please note that no additional Wine Club discounts will apply.
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| Our current range of wines available:
Kadette Pinotage Rosé 2023
Kadette Cape Blend 2021
Kadette Pinotage 2021
Kadette Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Kanonkop Pinotage 2021
Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2020
Black Label Pinotage 2021
** Wine Club discounts apply
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| Wyngroete!
Johann, Paul and the rest of the Kanonkop family & staff
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