June Wine Dinner; featuring Sparkling Wine and Rose
Pieter Ferreira: Joined the team at Graham Beck in 1990 and has been on the property for every vintage since the first in 1991…Following his studies of general agriculture at the University of Pretoria, Durban-born Pieter spent seven years in Franschhoek as apprentice to Achim von Arnim of Haute Cabrière. During this time, he experienced a number of working vintages in France’s Champagne region, at Mumm in 1987, George Vesselle in Bouzy in 1988 and at Moët & Chandon in 1989. Today Graham Beck operates state-of-the-art cellars specifically equipped and directed for the production of Cap Classique. Pieter has a particular interest in Cap Classique winemaking and is one of the leading sparkling wine specialists in the Cape. Pieter is now the COO of Graham Beck.
His Cap Classique was chosen to celebrate the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela in 1994 and also used by Barack Obama before he went on to do his inception speech in Chicago in November 2008. In addition to making amazing sparkling wines himself, Pieter takes great pride in moving the rising tide of Cap Classique forward. Pieter is the current chair of the Cap Classique Producers Association.
Wines:
Bliss Nectar Rose 'Methode Cap Classique', Graham Beck
Vintage: NV | Wine Type: SPARKLING | Color: Rose | Varietal: Blend - Sparkling | Country: South Africa | Region: Western Cape | Farming Practice: Sustainable | Appellation: Western Cape
56% Pinot Noir & 44% Chardonnay
Sourced from Graham Beck’s Robertson Estate Vineyard and hand-selected parcels from other geographical areas of the Western Cape
Hand harvested
Pressed separately in whole bunches
Blended prior to second fermentation
12 months on the lees prior to disgorgement
RS: 39.6 g/l
Vintage Blanc de Blanc 'Methode Cap Classique', Graham Beck 2019
Vintage: 2019 | Wine Type: SPARKLING | Color: White | Varietal: Chardonnay | Country: South Africa | Region: Robertson | Farming Practice: Sustainable | Appellation: Robertson
100% Chardonnay
Sourced a specific Chardonnay clonal block on the Roberston Estate
Limestone soils
Hand harvested
Tipped into presses and underwent a gentle and slow pressing cycle for gentle extraction
Only the cuvee juice was used with 50% fermented in Piece Champenoise 205L barrels, 7% new
After fermentation, the wine was aged for 5 months and then selectively blended with other best parcels that were fermented in stainless steel
The final blended wine was then bottled
48 months on the lees prior to disgorgement
Vintage Brut 'Cuvee Clive', Graham Beck 2018
Vintage: 2018 | Wine Type: SPARKLING | Color: White | Varietal: Blend - Sparkling | Country: South Africa | Region: Breede River Valley | Farming Practice: Sustainable | Appellation: Western Cape
95% Chardonnay & 5% Pinot Noir
Chardonnay is sourced from 3 exceptional parcels within the Graham Beck Robertson Estate on limestone-rich, calcareous soils, and clay subsoils
Pinot Noir is sourced from the hilly slopes of Napier on decomposed granite
Hand harvested
Each parcel was gently whole bunch pressed
2 of the Chardonnay portions were fermented in old 205L Pièce Champenoise barrels and 2000L foudres (2000L)
The 3rd Chardonnay portion and Pinot Noir were fermented in stainless steel
Aged on primary lees in their respective vessels for 5 months
Aged on the lees for 5 years before disgorgement
Vintage Brut Rose 'Methode Cap Classique', Graham Beck 2018
Vintage: 2018 | Wine Type: SPARKLING | Color: Rose | Varietal: Blend - Sparkling | Country: South Africa | Region: Western Cape | Farming Practice: Sustainable | Appellation: Western Cape
90% Pinot Noir & 10% Chardonnay
Pinot Noir is sourced from 4 unique vineyards in Elgin, Durbanville, Stellenbosch and Robertson
Chardonnay is sourced from the Robertson Estate
Hand harvested in the early morning
Pressed together and fermented in stainless steel
48 months on the lees prior to disgorgement
About the Producer; Graham Beck Graham Beck has become synonymous with the exceptional sparkling wine being produced in the country since their first vintages in the early 1990s. Robertson (home to Graham Beck and their estate vineyards) is located between the Riviersonderend and Langeberg mountain ranges, receiving afternoon maritime breezes, thanks to a break between the ranges, and cooler evenings which offer a respite for the vines. Along with this stark temperature drop, Robertson is the only major South African wine-growing area that is blessed with limestone soils, found on its elevated terraces. Thus, Chardonnay reigns as its signature varietal. The legendary story begins when Graham Beck purchased Madeba, a farm located outside of Robertson in 1983 to pursue his interest in not only creating one of the greatest horse stables in the world, but a world-class winery as well.
Dinner Menu coming soon