Media release
3 March 2006

Anwilka releases first wine
Anwilka vineyard, located 7km from the ocean in the prime Helderberg region of Stellenbosch, was purchased by Lowell Jooste, co-owner of Klein Constantia Estate, in 1997. Production of Anwilka wines commenced in 2005 - a joint venture between himself, Bruno Prats, former owner of Château Cos-d'Estournel, and Hubert de Boüard de Laforest, co-proprietor of Château Angélus. Cabernet sauvignon and shiraz grapes for the maiden Anwilka blend were harvested in March 2005, with 10% of the finished wine released in South Africa on March 3rd 2006, a month before release of the remainder into the Bordeaux trade, for international distribution.

Anwilka's neglected vineyards were extensively replanted in 1998. Under the viticultural guidance of respected Stellenbosch consultant Johan Wiese, farm manager Piet Neethling planted 40ha of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and shiraz in this prime red wine region. 3500 (x12)cases of the Anwilka blend were made in the new cellar in 2005 by talented young South African oenologist Trizanne Pansegrouw, with meticulous input from experienced oenologists Prats and de Boüard.

The primary viewpoint of the three partners is to spare no cost when it comes to wine quality. Prats explains, "We're not interested in squandering resources on lavish gateways and buildings, but we will spend whatever it takes to enhance the quality of the wine." He adds, "By investing in South Africa, we aim to gain a successful and enduring enterprise, based on the merit of the wines we produce from these fine vineyards."

All three are from internationally respected wine operations: Prats successfully directed Cos-d'Estournel, the leading Médoc 2nd growth, for 28 years; and under de Boüard, Angélus achieved St-Émilion first-growth status. Klein Constantia claims historical background, and has gained greater international recognition under the management of Jooste.

It is important to the trio to be in partnership with born and bred wine people, who have the same objectives. Both Prats and de Boüard maintain that they would not have invested in South Africa without a local partner who shared common wine values; while Jooste considers himself fortunate to be involved with such accomplished and well-connected winemakers, especially given their proven strength in both production and marketing. De Boüard sets their sights: "This is not a lifestyle venture. We are serious about wine, and aim to be a new benchmark of good quality South African red wine."

The Anwilka project
Whilst the global mass wine market is currently suffering a surplus, Prats believes the upper end of the market has never been so successful. Increasingly, affluent wine drinkers are willing to spend money on the best international wines. Future prospects are good for wines which add a cultural dimension to the pleasure of drinking by having a story to tell; are of superior quality, distinctive style, and produced in limited quantities.

While top international restaurant wine lists have traditionally been French-dominated, the team feels there's now more scope for wines from other wine-producing countries, including South Africa. They are confident that with their experience, knowledge and established relationships in this market, there is a clear place for the wines of Anwilka.

Location is considered fundamental to wine quality. Stellenbosch has proved itself as the Cape's premium red wine area, and within this district, the Helderberg is recognised for its exceptional fruit quality, mainly due to the maritime influence bought about by close proximity to False Bay, where fresh southern ocean breezes cool the vines throughout the hot summers.

Matching grape varieties to specific sites, prior to planting the vineyards, received particularly careful deliberation. Anwilka's soils are medium potential, which allows favourably low vine vigour, and also contributes to vine health. The gently sloping topography assists drainage during winter rains, whilst sufficient water retention capacity avoids excessive hydric stress.

Vineyard blocks selected for the Anwilka label are from just 12 of the 40 hectares planted. Total plantings include 58% cabernet sauvignon, 24% shiraz and 18% merlot. Stringent annual selection ensures only the best blocks are used for the Anwilka label, with the remaining grapes being sent to Klein Constantia for inclusion in their export-only brands and new KC label.

Yields in the designated Anwilka vineyards are reduced by severe pruning and rigorous canopy management (bunches above the 2nd wire, lateral bunches and shoulders on larger bunches are removed). Minimum irrigation is applied in order to prevent excessive vine stress. Green harvesting is employed, with only 2 bunches left per spur in order to achieve optimum concentration, thus yielding an average of only 5.5 tons/ha (approx. 35hl/ha).

Shortly before the 2005 harvest, the existing farm buildings were extended to house the winemaking facility - a simple, unadorned building, fitted with state-of-the-art equipment, designed to contribute to wine quality. The relatively small size of the eleven temperature-controlled 7000-litre stainless steel tanks, six of which are tronconical (one of the first of type in SA), allows for precise vineyard block selection. The conical shape helps to fractionate the cap during rack and returns, optimising contact between this and the fermenting must.

Grapes are harvested in small crates and sorted on a conveyor belt before being destemmed, and sorted again, if necessary, on a second conveyor belt en route to the tank. Positioning of the mobile crusher above the tank allows grapes to fall in, thereby avoiding the use of pumps. Small basket presses are employed In order to achieve gentle pressing of the fruit.

Winemaking techniques at Anwilka have been fine-tuned by Prats and de Boüard, who visit during harvest. Long pump-overs and extended maceration are used to ensure gentle extraction of ripe polyphenols. Close attention is paid to the date of harvest of each vineyard block, and each resulting tank individually treated, with a truly hands-on approach.

Adept in the art of blending, it was common practice in the early 19th century for Bordeaux wine merchants to blend syrah from Hermitage with claret. Although the growing of syrah is disallowed today, the founder of Cos-d'Estournel Louis Gaspard d'Estournel grew it there. Skilled blenders de Boüard and Prats tasted the 2005 wine several times with Jooste and Pansegrouw before deciding on the final blend of 63% cabernet sauvignon and 37% syrah. Maturation in new (75%) and second fill French oak for 9 months imparts ample structure to the wine, whilst avoiding excessive oak character.

The 2005 vintage of Anwilka produced only 3,500 cases- a relatively small amount, without being excessively so - a matter about which Prats feels keenly, "We do not like the idea of creating a ridiculously small amount of 'blockbuster' cult wine in order to achieve high ratings from the critics. We want Anwilka to be accessible to wine lovers all over the world."

Their mission is clear, "Anwilka aims neither to be a Bordeaux look-alike, nor simply just another South African blend. It possesses the richness and softness begotten by the warm, sunny South African climate, whilst maintaining freshness, elegance and balance. Anwilka aims to be a new benchmark for SA red wine."

ENDS
Issued by:
Lowell Jooste for Anwilka Vineyard
Cell: 082-4413721 e-mail: lowell@kleinconstantia.com
www.anwilka.com