Journey’s End, the boutique estate situated on the mountain slopes above Sir Lowry’s Pass Village in the Helderberg basin, have released their rebranded new-vintage Tales Series range of wines. The new labels, still depicting the ‘tales’ behind the respective wines in the range, are simpler and more classic in design, to bring the Tales Series more into line with the other two Journey’s End wine ranges.
The New Vintage Tales Series Releases Include:
- Journey’s End Weather Station Sauvignon Blanc 2022
- Journey’s End Haystack Chardonnay 2022
- Journey’s End Huntsman 2021 – Shiraz Mourvèdre Grenache
- Journey’s End Pastor’s Blend 2020 – Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot Petit Verdot Malbec
Journey’s End Weather Station Sauvignon Blanc 2022
The Tale: This wineis named after the famed SB11 ‘Weerstasie Kloon’ (Weather Station clone) which is one of the core components used in this wine. First propagated in Stellenbosch in the 1920s, it made a huge resurgence in the late 1970s. The clone is nicknamed ‘The Weather Station’ as the original plantings were made beside an old weather station, which proved invaluable in enabling the farms to spot upcoming changes in the weather and thus pick their fruit at its optimum condition.
In the Vineyard and the Cellar: The blocks that constitute the Weather Station rest at the highest elevation on the farm at around above 200m above sea level, a mere 9km away from the False Bay coastline. The grapes were handpicked early in the cool of the morning to ensure minimal oxidation and preserve the delicate fruit flavours. The bunches were hand sorted, destemmed, and gently crushed. Eight hours of skin contact took place to enhance aromatic extraction. The juice was settled enzymatically before being racked into the fermentation tanks. Temperatures were kept at 13°C throughout the fermentation to retain aromatic intensity. The wine was kept in stainless steel tanks for four months with weekly lees stirring to add richness, complexity and facilitate ageability. The wine was then racked from the lees, fined with bentonite and stabilized in preparation for bottling. The wine is vegan friendly.
Tasting notes: The 2022 edition of the Weather Station displays pronounced green apple notes complemented by a salty minerality distinctive of the area, and hints of kiwifruit. The wine has a lovely weight and round mouthfeel on the mid-palate, and a balanced acidity which brings freshness and length to the finish. Ready to drink now.
Suggested food pairings: A refreshing aperitif but also enjoy with fresh oysters, asparagus, smoked salmon, mussels, tempura prawns or seared tuna.
***
Journey’s End Haystack Chardonnay 2021 (Partial Barrel Fermentation)
The Tale: This wine takes its name fromthe age-old practice of planting wheat between the rows of vines (to prevent weeds and therefore reduce the need for spraying). This is just one of a number of organic and bio-dynamic practices on the farm. This wine pays homage to the preservation and protection of nature and the environment at Journey’s End.
In the Vineyard and the Cellar: The grapes were handpicked between 21 and 23° Balling before being subjected to a combination of whole bunch pressing as well as destemming and gently pressing the other portion. The juice was left to settle for 24 hours enzymatically before being pumped into stainless steel tanks (90%) and older 300L French oak (10%) for fermentation. Different yeasts were used to enhance the flavour profile of the wine. Fermentation took about 25 days at temperatures ranging between 11 and 14°C. The wine was then left in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures for a total of four months post-fermentation with weekly lees stirring to broaden the mouthfeel and enhance the wine’s preservation. After maturation the wine was fined with bentonite, filtered and bottled. The wine is vegan friendly.
Tasting notes: Pronounced citrus peel, lime and melon notes delight on the nose and the palate, enhanced by a richness and complexity from four months post fermentation lees contact. The balance between creaminess and freshness makes for a food-friendly wine. Drink now and up until 2026.
Suggested food pairings: Ideal with sushi, creamy dishes and seafood.
***
Journey’s End Huntsman 2021 – Shiraz Mourvèdre Grenache
The Tale: This wineis named in honour of the Cape Hunt hounds’ original kennels dating back to 1822, the foundations of which were found by the Gabb family when they were building their cellar. 1811 marked the first ever hunt in the Western Cape with hounds imported from Gloucestershire, UK. To this day, the Cape Hunt remains the oldest Hunt in the New World.
The Blend: 73% Shiraz, 17% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache
In the Vineyard and the Cellar: The grapes were handpicked. 70% of the Shiraz and 100% of the Mourvèdre and Grenache underwent traditional fermentations where grapes were hand sorted and destemmed before being inoculated and fermented. The traditional fermentations took about 15 days to complete at 20 – 25°C in automated rotational tanks which submerge the skins using a very gentle action (ensuring soft tannins). 30% of the Shiraz was subjected to a carbonic fermentation method producing a completely different flavour profile adding complexity to the eventual blend. Malolactic fermentation of all varieties took place in large format barrels and the wine was left to mature for a further 12 months before being blended, fined with bentonite and filtered. This wine is vegan friendly.
Tasting notes:
A beautiful dark ruby red colour, this wine shows expressive notes of violets, raspberry, and candy floss with hints of cinnamon spice. Juicy layers of red and dark berries break through on the palate accompanied by soft powdery tannins. An unintrusive, easy drinking summer red that is to be seriously enjoyed but not taken too seriously – cool down slightly for the ultimate summer braai/barbeque red. Drink now and until 2026.
Suggested food pairings: Delicious with fillet with peppercorn sauce, roast duck with cherry sauce, braais, pizza, pastas and Mediterranean style dishes.
***
Journey’s End Pastor’s Blend 2020 – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec
The Tale: This winepays homage to the Pastors from the local village of Sir Lowry’s Pass who regularly deliver Sunday sermons at the foot of the Journey’s End vineyard. It is through these local pastors that Journey’s End channels resources for their support and development programmes to uplift a community traditionally plagued by low socio-economic conditions. Journey’s End’s support includes running soup kitchens and pensioners lunches, building a new school hall, providing music lessons, funding a creche and a campaign to eradicate bullying in the township schools.
The Blend: 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec
In the Vineyard and the Cellar: All blocks were picked by hand at optimum ripeness and stored overnight in a cold room. The grapes were hand sorted and destemmed but not crushed. Whole berries were cold soaked for 72 hours before inoculation. Fermentation took about 15 days at 18 – 28˚ C with a carefully planned pump over/punch down schedule in open fermentation tanks. The Cabernet Sauvignon was left on the skins for another 10 days before pressing. The Merlot and Cabernet Franc tanks were pressed straight after fermentation. Malolactic fermentation took place in 300L barrels. Wine was oak matured for 16 months before the final blend was blended for bottling.
Tasting notes: A well-judged partnership of the classic Bordeaux varieties, this is an elegant harmonious wine displaying rich notes of juicy dark red fruit including plums, cherries with some earthiness accompanied by sweet tobacco and Christmas cake characters. This wine has a well-integrated tannic structure showing elegance and some youth. The wine will also age well.
Suggested food pairings: Enjoy with lamb shanks, roast beef or venison.
***
Purchase Journey’s End Tales Series Wines: The four wines in the range are available for purchase at the cellar door, online at https://shop.journeysend.co.za/ and nationally at select fine wine merchants as well as at leading restaurants.
Retail price: White wines: R100 – R120 retail; Red wines: R117 – R125
JOURNEY’S END VINEYARDS
Journey’s End Vineyards, the picturesque farm nestled among the slopes of the famous Schapenberg Hills overlooking False Bay, has a unique microclimate and exceptional terroir. Dynamic winemakers Leon Esterhuizen and Mike Dawson use progressive methods both in the cellar and in the vineyards. These include a minimal intervention philosophy, carbonic maceration, and fermentation and ageing in amphorae and concrete eggs, adding a complex layer to classically elegant wines.
Journey’s End Vineyards, Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, Somerset West 7130
Tel: 021 858 1929
Email: info@journeysend.co.za
Website: http://www.journeysend.co.za/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/journeysendwines
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JourneysEndWine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeysendwines/
Tasting and sales by appointment only: Monday Friday: 10h00 – 17h00
MORE ON SUSTAINABLE FARMING AND COMMUNITIY INITIATIVES
The Gabb family, originally from Shropshire, UK purchased Journey’s End in 1995 with a focus on ethically and sustainably producing wines of excellence. It was the second wine farm in South Africa to convert to solar power, doing so in 2014 and has been Fairtrade certified since 2017. In 2020, the Journey’s End Foundation was set up to help tackle worsening hunger and poverty in the local community. Since then, it has provided over 1.7 million meals to those in need. Journey’s End was recognised for this work as ‘Ethical Company of the Year’ at The Drinks Business Green Awards in both 2020 and 2021. Journey’s End also won the Water Management award in 2021. In addition, Journey’s End was recognized as a WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)Conservation Champion in 2021, a prestigious accreditation bestowed upon environmental leaders in the Cape Winelands. Journey’s End is also a founding member of the Sustainably Wine Roundtable and has achieved carbon negative status. The team believes in drinking well and growing forward, while truly being a force for good.
