Winemaker Jan van Rooyen and the Avontuur team are smiling from ear to ear today after receiving the Grand Cru (Best in Category), Top 100 and Double Platinum award for the 2017 Sarabande Sauvignon Blanc Reserve last night at the National Wine Challenge 2019 awards ceremony at Spier in Stellenbosch.
Jan is obviously especially thrilled with the medals for the Sauvignon Blanc Reserve; “Years of planning and production culminated in winning these accolades for our Sarabande Sauvignon Blanc Reserve. With this “blanc fumé” style of Sauvignon Blanc I am moving closer to my ultimate goal of creating an iconic white wine for Avontuur Estate by presenting you with the finest selection of our soil/climate/location crafted into your glass”
He went on to talk about the terroir and vintage; “How great to have a Sauvignon Blanc from the Helderberg wine growing area as a Top 100 wine, and this being a 2017 vintage proves that South African white wines have the power to last longer and be enjoyed beyond the year of production”
Over and above the Sauvignon Blanc, Avontuur also received a Double Gold for the Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 and a Double Silver for the Cabernet/Merlot 2016.
Jan comments; “Receiving a double gold and double silver for these wines from the 2016 vintage is simply awesome. It proves that Helderberg Stellenbosch is a prime spot for growing great red wines from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varieties. Enjoy the power and elegance of the Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that will develop and last for many years after bottling. The Cabernet/Merlot is made to be enjoyed from the release date, but can be matured for another 5+ years”
The wines are available from the tasting room at the Estate or from the online wine shop at www.avontuurestate.co.za although as Avontuur is a boutique producer, some of the vintages might be sold out soon!