The Sadie Family - Skerpioen - Assemblage 2022
The Sadie Family Estate is located in the Swartland region of South Africa . Before his career as a winemaker and after a period as a surfer, Eben Sadie traveled and worked in several wine regions around the world, including Germany, Austria, Italy, Oregon and Burgundy. Returning to South Africa, he found employment alongside Charles Back at The Spice Route in 1998. The Sadie Family was founded in 1999, with the first two vintages produced at The Spice Route facilities. The company consists of three employees, in addition to Eben Sadie, his brother and sister and the vineyards extend over some 24 hectares, including mountainous plots and coastal plains. Due to the diversity of terroirs, a wide range of grape varieties can be planted, such as Palomino, Tinta Barroca or Sémillon. All vineyards are managed according to the principles of organic and biodynamic viticulture . Different fermentation tanks are used in the cellar: from classic oak barrels and tuns to concrete amphorae or ovoid tanks.
Skerpioen is a blend of Chenin Blanc and Palomino grown on a limestone and sandy surface terroir. The whole bunches are put into direct pressing then the juice is transferred to old tuns for fermentation. The fermentation process can take up to 5 days to begin, and can last from 1 to 6 months. The wine is aged for 12 months on its lees in old acacia barrels and oak tuns .
Grape varieties: Chenin Blanc, Palomino