Groote Post – a historic West Coast family farm where the land is rustic, the pace is slow, the heritage is honoured, and the pleasures are honest – is home to a Darling Shiraz Cinsault red blend, aptly named Salt of the Earth.
‘Salt of the Earth’ is defined as being representative of the best or noblest elements of society. This wine, a blend of 67% Shiraz and 33% Cinsault, is just that, with grapes sourced from pockets of excellence throughout the Darling Hills. The 22-year-old trellised shiraz vines yield 6 tons per hectare, and the 46-year-old dryland bush vine cinsault yields only 4 tons per hectare. The Groot Post Salt of the Earth’s distinctive label creatively portrays the heart of the wine, thanks to the expertise of Anthony Lane Design Consultancy. The gorgeous red blend also reflects the very core of the spirit at this ‘salt of the earth’ family farm where the spirit is generous, and the people are real.
GROOTE POST SALT OF THE EARTH 2019
In The Cellar: The grapes of both cultivars were harvested on the same day and co-fermented in open top tank fermenters. The free run wine was then taken to 500 litre French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and then racked back into barrels for 14 months maturation – 60% new and 40% older 500-litre barrels.
Tasting Note: This full-flavoured wine is rich and dense yet not devoid of freshness. It abounds with dark cherries and plums, cedarwood and white pepper with savoury and violet notes, typical of Shiraz from Darling, integrated with fresh cherry and strawberry flavours from the Cinsault. The wine is well-structured and smooth with soft tannins, a subtle earthy mineral undertone and great length. It should age very well if properly cellared.
Food Pairing: The Groote Post Salt of the Earth will be a perfect accompaniment to lamb, duck or mushrooms.
Accolades: 4½ Stars in the 2022 Platter’s SA Wine Guide
Purchase: The Groote Post Salt of the Earth 2019 is available from the Groote Post cellar door, online at https://groote-post-wines.myshopify.com/collections/all and at select fine wine merchants around the country. Approximate retail price: R280
RELAX GROOTE POST-STYLE, enjoying the simple pleasures in life with your loved ones and friends. Escape from your usual stresses, take a break from your TV and digital devices, light a fire, sit back, put your feet up and open a bottle of Salt of the Earth. Chase away the winter blues and soothe your heart and soul as you listen to ‘Salt of The Earth Fireplace Anthems’ Peter Pentz junior has selected for you to enjoy next to the fireplace while sipping your wine. https://spoti.fi/3aJJClA
GROOTE POST ESTATE – A ‘SALT OF THE EARTH’ EXPERIENCE
On arrival, the warm, hearty welcome you receive is a promise of what’s to come as you explore the ‘salt of the earth’ way of life at Groote Post, soaking up the natural beauty, heritage, rural charm and genuine country hospitality synonymous with this family estate.
Loyalty, hard work and family are core to Groote Post. Since 1904, five generations of the Pentz family have worked together over time, first as dairy men and now as wine producers. Winemaker Lukas Wentzel and viticulturist Jannie de Clerk between them have clocked up 45 years at Groote Post where they live with their wives and families. And this ethos is mirrored by a larger family of diligent workers on the farm. Husband and wife team, Shaun and Debbie Mclaughlin, have headed up Groote Post’s Hilda’s Kitchen restaurant, for 21 years. At Groote Post, the strength of the team is in its loyalty to each other.
Here, at this historic farm, Nick Pentz, his father Peter senior (The Old Man) and Nick’s son Peter junior and the Groote Post extended family are dedicated to producing world class wines and providing their guests with a memorable visit.
Begin with a tasting of Groote Post’s well-loved range of wines in the restored 18th century fort (guarding post), the home of the wine cellar. The Darling Hills are blessed with deep, high clay content soils, gracious southern slopes and cooling winds off the icy Atlantic only 6 km away… the perfect terroir for yielding superlative fruit and excellent wines.
After your tasting, stroll across the werf guarded over by the historic bell tower depicted on the Groote Post wine labels, to Hilda’s Kitchen restaurant. Named in honour of Hildagonda Duckitt, grande dame of Cape cuisine who was born and raised at Groote Post over a-century-and-a-half ago, the restaurant is housed in a heritage manor house, one of a series of provincial heritage sites on the estate that serve as evocative souvenirs of the farm’s illustrious history dating back to 1706. Here at this West Coast culinary oasis enjoy delectable seasonal menus using Groote Post’s very own home-grown lamb, beef and venison, and the freshest veggies and herbs from their own garden.
Hop on the winery’s bona fide game vehicle and take in the splendour of Groote Post’s 2000-hectare game camp spotting the wide variety of indigenous game and highly endangered Renosterveld to which Groote Post is home. Continue through the Groote Post vineyards – including a panoramic view of Table Mountain from the top vineyard on the Kapokberg. And, of course, to complement the experience, enjoy a glass of wine as you appreciate the glory of nature.
A family-friendly farm, children love the jungle gym, the animals and the rolling lawns. Groote Post also offers scenic nature walks, birdwatching in the hide on the dam and spectacular West Coast flowers in spring.
As proud members of the Biodiversity Wine Initiative, owners Peter and Nick Pentz have made a commitment to preserving thousands of hectares of endangered fynbos and to minimise the further loss of threatened natural habitat. Groote Post is also part of the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve, which stretches from the Milnerton lagoon to Langebaan and inland as far as Darling.
Wherever you go at Groote Post, guests are met with a friendly smile. No one is too busy to stop and chat and enjoy the simple things in life. This is a farm where guests experience a ‘salt of the earth culture that’s so endearing, where they return time and time again and become part of the Groote Post family.
Groote Post Vineyards
Darling Hills Road, Darling 7345
Tel: 022 492 2825 · Email: wine@grootepost.co.za
Website: http://www.grootepost.co.za · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grootepost/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/grootepost · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grootepost/
