Roving Sommelier is passionate about premium quality regional South African wines. Talented winegrower, Justin Van Wyk’s latest project is Van Wyk Family Wines. Justin, of Constantia Glen Winery fame, has spent the last six years working with selected vineyards planted across the greater Western Cape. Van Wyk Family Vineyards is a highly anticipated endeavour, and one we believe is well worth waiting for.

Justin Van Wyk hails from a sheep farm in the Great Karoo and now lives in Cape Town with his beautiful wife and two daughters, to whom this range of wines is dedicated. They are symbolised by three delicate, yet vibrant daffodils, which in turn pay homage to their Welsh heritage.

2016 was Justin’s first vintage under the Van Wyk Family Wines label. ‘I have a specific interest in sourcing grapes from old vines, and when it comes to varieties such as Chenin Blanc and Cinsault; there are an abundance of old “undiscovered” vineyards where the true potential of the grapes has not yet been realised’, explains Justin.

On the style of the wines, he tells us, ‘I have a small number of vineyards that I have worked with from the beginning, but I am continuously exploring the vineyards of the Cape to find parcels and sites that I would like to work with, mostly with the aim of sourcing from old vines as much as possible.’ In addition to old vine Chenin Blanc and Cinsault, his interest lies with cool climate Syrah which he sources from the Elgin Valley.

Sourcing fruit to vinify in his own style requires a very hands-on approach. ‘I personally work with the growers in terms of viticulture and then also personally decide on picking dates. I personally collect the grapes, always in the early hours of the morning on the chosen picking date, so that the grapes reach the cellar before it becomes too warm in the day.’

‘Besides being very selective about chosen vineyards and varieties, I aim to make honest and elegant wines that are expressive of nature, circumstance and my passion for the Cape’s heritage grape varieties. As a result of this stylistic choice, I often find that the red wines in the portfolio are often lighter and more delicate than the white wines’, he continues.

As for the inspiration behind his labels? ‘The ram depicted on the label is a Merino ram, and the other elements such as the hills and windmill are typical Karoo elements. The three daffodils bring an element of colour to the logo, and they signify the colour in my life, my wife and two daughters.’

This wine is an honest expression of pure Syrah fruit from cool-climate vineyards. The result is a profile of dark fruit flavours with elegant spice and black pepper aromatics. The use of whole-bunch fermentation and some stems in contact with the fermenting wine, lends additional freshness, structure, and persistence to the palate. Once the wine opens up a little, the enticing black fruit bouquet develops some floral nuances as well as rosemary and fynbos. The mouth-filling texture and medium-bodied palate provides a beautiful balance.

The Syrah grapes used for this wine are sourced from the cool-climatic region of Elgin. Matured for 14 months in predominantly second and third-fill French oak barrels.

This honest and elegant wine is true to its origin and is an expression of nature, circumstance, and passion. Best enjoyed served at room temperature with seasonal meat dishes and in a convivial atmosphere.

Total production of 2604 bottles.