, 6 9 K m V n y a r d r e a
In 2005, 5th generation winemaker John Robert replanting new vineyards with the goal of producing clean, fruity wines with finesse and minerality. He produces what he calls ‘’REAL’’ wines. These are wines that taste like the earth that they originate from, and not like the over-extracted fruit bombs common in the market today. These vines are now old enough to realise their full potential and culminated in the new premium brand FRATER FAMILY WINES.
Property
De Zoete Inval Estate is located at the base of the Paarl valley on the banks of the Berg River in Southern Paarl, and in the valley frost pocket, ensuring cold winters. Coupled with the cold winters we have hot dry summers, which are perfect for the ripening of grapes. De Zoete Inval is a windy place, and as the south wind whips through it keeps the mildew at bay and helps to reduce the disease pressure in our vineyards.
The growth of our vineyards and resultant yields are kept in check by our sandy marginal soils which constantly deliver ripe, well-balanced fruit. The marginal soils tend to produce lower alcohol wines with more finesse and exhibit less fruit and greater terroir expression. All these factors culminate in unique, singular character wines which have the ability to age well.
A premier region
h e P a a r V l l e y
Paarl is one of South Africa’s most famous wine producing areas. Located 60 kilometers (37 miles) inland from Cape Town it is home to the Western Cape’s best wineries.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinotage, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay are all important grapes varieties in the region.
Paarl’s huge variation of terroir gives wine farms opportunities to experiment with many different grape varieties and blends. The red wines are rich and robust, with great intensity of fruit and white wines are fruit driven and tropical.
Our red wines are still produced in open fermenters (oop kuipe), and allowed to ferment and age with minimal intervention. This ancient practise is widely regarded as the ideal fermentation method and although very labour intensive, the results vindicate the efforts. Sound winemaking principles are combined with artistry to produce new world wines with old world characteristics.
sustainability
i n d f u l n s s o f t h e E n v i r e t
As part of the agricultural industry, we fully depend on our surrounding, just as it depends on us. That’s why we grow our produce organically and sustainably. Over the past decades the carbon footprint of the winery has been positive, which is something we’re really proud of.
