The Field Blend 2023

Located in the heart of the Jonkershoek Valley, near Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, the Stark-Conde estate benefits from a natural amphitheater of mountains that protects the vines from prevailing winds. The plots destined for The Field Blend are planted around the estate's lake, on predominantly granitic and alluvial soils, offering good drainage and moderate water retention. The influence of the altitude and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean brings cool nights, promoting slow ripening of the grapes and preserving the wine's aromatic freshness.

The grapes for this blended white wine are hand-harvested, plot by plot, then gently pressed as whole bunches. The different grape varieties ferment separately, primarily in French oak barrels, with a limited proportion of new oak to preserve aromatic freshness. Fermentation takes place at low temperatures and is sometimes prolonged using indigenous yeasts. Aging then continues on fine lees, with periodic stirring, before the final blending and bottling, which aims to maintain the balance between richness and tension.

This wine reveals notes of ripe citrus , stone fruit , and delicate tropical fruit , complemented by floral touches and a subtle mineral dimension. Discreet nuances of sweet spice and a light oak character add complexity. On the palate, the texture is both ample and precise, supported by a lively and well-integrated acidity , with a lingering sensation of freshness and a long, balanced, and elegant finish.

The first grape vines were planted in South Africa by Dutch settlers in the 1650s, although wine production did not really take off until the arrival of French Protestants in the 1680s with their skills and knowledge of viticulture. Stellenbosch is also a historic wine region, with the first vineyards being planted there in the 1690s. Today, South Africa is one of the most important wine producing countries in the Southern Hemisphere. With over 300 years of winemaking history, it is often described as a bridge between the Old and New Worlds. The majority of wines are produced using New World winemaking techniques, but they often share more in common stylistically with their Old World counterparts. Since the end of apartheid, South African wine has received international attention and acclaim for its wide variety of styles. South Africa's wine industry is spread across the lush and rugged landscape of the Western Cape. Here, the abundance of mountains, valleys and plateaus allows winemakers to produce a wide variety of styles. Vineyards are also found in the Orange River region of the Northern Cape, where the flat, arid landscape is dominated by the Kalahari Desert. Most of South Africa's wine regions have a Mediterranean climate, heavily influenced by the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country's signature grape variety is Pinotage, an indigenous cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault that is rarely found in quantity in other wine-producing countries. Shiraz (Syrah) is also widely planted, as are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (often combined in a Bordeaux blend). South African Chardonnay, Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc have become popular internationally in recent years.