Golden Yellow Brick Road Through Du Toitskloof

Wednesday, 8 October, 2014
Du Toitskloof Winery
Du Toitskloof Wines of Rawsonville is a familiar name on the South African wine landscape, but the wines for which it was awarded two Gold Medals at the recent Veritas Wine Awards are somewhat lesser known. Du Toitskloof won a Gold for its Dimension Nebbiolo 2010 and its Quest Heroes Journey 2011, the winery’s maiden Rhône blend aimed at the top-end of the quality spectrum.
Veritas is South Africa’s largest wine competition which this year attracted 1 767 entries. Organisers were also quick to point out that the panels of local and international judges had been skimpy on the awarding of Gold and Double Gold medals, with this year’s judging being the strictest in years.

According to Shawn Thomson, cellar master of Du Toitskloof Wines, the Veritas recognition is of profound importance.

“As a wine maker, it is always reassuring to know that you are on the right track and being judged by a panel of local and international experts alongside South Africa’s leading producers is an enormously reputable indication as to what you and your colleagues are busy with in the cellar,” says Thomson.

“The Veritas recognition is also very important to the image of Du Toitskloof. We are a Breedekloof winery, an area that is not yet really known to be part of the premier South African wine scene. To make a mark in this competition shows consumers and the rest of the wine fraternity that our unique terroir and geographical fingerprint is not only found on pleasant, value-for-money wines, but also on wines that can compete with the best.”

The Du Toitskloof Nebbiolo has been something of a revelation over the past few years as the Breedekloof region’s sunny climate, crisp evenings and alluvial soils have seen this Italian variety coming to its fore, providing bright fruit flavours and plush tannins.

“The variety is not that well-known in South Africa and we are only a handful of producers,” says Thomson. “But the wines have an inviting and approachable character that an ever-increasing number of consumers are lapping up. In fact, we are increasing our plantings of Nebbiolo and expect great things from this variety in future. The Veritas Gold is another chapter in this wine’s success story.”

The Quest Heroes Journey 2011, also from the Du Toitskloof stable, is a blend of Shiraz and Mourvèdre from various Western Cape Vineyards and is the winery’s flagship.

“Due to the Breedekloof fruit being committed to our own brands, we source grapes for this wine in the Paarl and Durbanville regions,” says Thomson. “The wines are vinified separately and given the full Monty – berry-selection, cold maceration and aged in new French oak. Winning a Gold for this wine is a tremendous achievement as the category for Red Blends received over 250 wines and to get a nod from the judges alongside the best South Africa has to offer is no small feat for Du Toitskloof.”