The wine history of Windmeul Kelder on the northern slopes of Paarl Mountain and the surrounding wine-farming area stretches far back in time, with the first grapes being planted by the French Huguenots some 300 years ago.
Windmeul Kelder was founded in 1944, and since it has become a popular destination, offering top-quality wines as well as facilities for conferences, seminars, weddings and other functions in a distinctive environment.
The Windmeul Pinotage Reserve 2007 is probably one of the most notable examples of a wine to be acclaimed by a diverse array of judging panels. At the 2008 Winemaker’s Choice Wine Competition, it was selected as the Best Red Wine overall, and it goes without saying that it also garnered Best Pinotage, as well as receiving a Double Gold International Michelangelo Award and a Double Gold Veritas Award.
The wine has a very dark purple-red colour, with ripe plum and cherry flavours, and banana on the nose. The tannins are robust but soft, creating a wine with excellent ageing potential. The Pinotage vineyards are regularly suckered and pruned to create a uniformly-shaped bush-vine which doesn’t grow too fast, so as to channel energy into the bunches of grapes.
Food and wine paring
Enjoy this wine with venison, bobotie, stew and snoek. It is also complemented by lamb, boerewors, certain fish dishes, pork rib, curry, cheese, pea soup and beef. Talk about an all-rounder!
If you prefer things of a lighter shade, then the versatile Windmeul Chenin Blanc will entice your palate. Fruit rules with lots of pear, peaches and guava on the nose, with a fresh crisp mouth feel. The wine growing areas surrounding Windmeul Kelder is a prime terroir for the Chenin Blanc variety and every vintage produces exceptional wines filled with fruit and a fresh complexity.
The grapes are carefully selected and the dedicated teamwork between the vineyard farmers, viticulturist and winemaker ensures the high quality end product that portrays one of South Africa’s ultimate meso-climates for Chenin Blanc.
This wine can naturally be enjoyed on its own or paired with seafood such as crayfish, shellfish, elfish, oysters and mussels, as well as Thai food.
Visit Windmeul Kelder for a winning wine experience. Call 021 869 8043 / 8100 or visit www.windmeulwinery.co.za
WINDMEUL – CELLAR AWARDS
2008 Michelangelo International Wine Awards
Double Gold: Windmeul Chenin Blanc 2008
Double Gold: Windmeul Port 2005
Double Gold: Windmeul Pinotage Reserve 2007
Gold: Windmeul Shiraz Reserve 2006
Gold: Windmeul Shiraz Reserve 2007
WINE magazine Best Value guide
Windmeul Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Windmeul Chenin Blanc 2008
Windmeul Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2006
Windmeul Port 2005
2008 Winemakers Choice Wine Competition
Best Red Wine: Windmeul Pinotage Reserve 2007
Best Pinotage: Windmeul Pinotage Reserve 2007
Best Winemaker Red Wine: Francois van Niekerk of Windmeul
2008 Veritas Awards
Double Gold: Windmeul Pinotage Reserve 2007
2008 National Young Wine Show
National Champion Pinotage: Windmeul Pinotage 2008
Class winner: Windmeul Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (unwooded)