2023 Keermont Terrasse White Stellenbosch

Product Description

Keermont Vineyards is a specialist wine estate set in the naturally-formed amphitheatre between the Helderberg and Stellenbosch Mountain ranges. All grapes used in producing our wines are grown on Keermont Vineyards. Most of the vineyard parcels grow on deep red clay rich soil derived from sandstone and granite and are surrounded by indigenous vegetation. They lie between 250 and 400 metres above sea level at the top of the valley, and have a variety of aspects from North East to West facing. In 2001, the Wraith family moved to the Western Cape from Gauteng and in 2003 bought two adjacent farms which today make up Keermont Vineyards.

Terrasse (pronounced ta-ras-ah), is our barrel fermented white blend which is named after the terraced vineyards leading up the Helderberg and Stellenbosch mountainsides on the estate. We have six different white wine varieties planted on these terraces and every year we make up a unique blend. It changes year to year, depending on what the vintage gives us. The core component is always Chenin blanc from our dryland bush vine Bobbejaan Wingerd (Baboon Vineyard), and the trellised Low Road vineyard. Chardonnay gives the blend some weight on the palate, Sauvignon blanc from our dryland vineyard ‘Uitkyk’ (planted in 1988) brings fresh acidity, and the drops of Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier give a slight spicy, aromatic lift.

Small batches of grapes are selected according to ripeness, harvested by hand and vinified separately. Terrasse is fermented by indigenous yeast in seasoned French oak barrels and then spends a further 12 months maturing on the lees. Bottling is carried out by hand with minimal fining or filtration.