Olifantsberg, located in the Breedekloof region of the Western Cape, is passionate about producing authentic wines with a true sense of place, which reflect the unique location of their vineyard. The focus is on sustainable farming and winemaking practices, resulting in limited intervention in the both the vineyard and cellar. They hold the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) certification for sustainability. The team are fully committed to understanding their terroir and managing their natural resources through conservation, which adds to the singularity of their wines. The unique terroir with its combination of Breede-shale, Renosterveld and sandstone soils, constant winds and elevation, produces concentrated fruit that winemaker Elizma Visser translates into elegant, fresh and age-worthy wines. In Tim Atkin’s 2021 South Africa Report, Elizma was awarded the prestigious Young Winemaker of the Year Award.
The grapes were hand-harvested and cooled overnight, before being whole bunch pressed for gentle extraction. The juice was settled over night in stainless steel tanks. During racking, a proportion of fine lees was added to the clear juice to ensure texture in the finished wine. Natural fermentation took place with wild yeasts, which further enhanced the complexity. The wine was matured for nine months in a combination of 300 and 500-litre barrels of previously used oak; no bâtonnage during ageing.
The Olifantsberg Roussanne has delicate, inviting aromas of white peach, white blossom and spicy coriander and ginger which lead to a fresh, crisp palate, with lovely balance and an intriguing pithy note on the finish.
