HISTORIC Stellenbosch wine estate Blaauwklippen has unveiled stylish new labels for their signature Zinfandel red and white wines, honouring the estate’s 337-year heritage and pioneering role in bringing Zinfandel to South Africa, along with a contemporary flair that signals their future vision.
The new labels reflect the revitalisation underway at Blaauwklippen, one of the original Stellenbosch estates, founded in 1682, and winemaker Narina Cloete’s determination to position Zinfandel as Blaauwklippen’s premium, iconic wine.
“Making premium Zinfandel wines, that express the cultivar characteristics and South African terroir, challenges one as a winemaker. It creates an interesting difference and drinking experience in our new Blaauwklippen wine range.”, Cloete said.
The quality of Blaauwklippen Red Zinfandel was recognised with a Veritas Gold for the 2017 vintage last year.
The refreshed labels, on the new release 2017 Red Zinfandel and 2018 White Zinfandel, have a luxurious feel with subtle shimmer on the embossed detail, giving a stylish, contemporary edge in keeping with a premium wine.
In elegant monochrome charcoal for the red, and pale oyster for the white, the labels are intricately detailed, reflecting Blaauwklippen’s heritage in their iconography, including the carriage that has long been a symbol of the estate, the classic gables of the historic manor house, and the antique basket press still used in the winery today.
Plans for the revitalisation of Blaauwklippen will see the original entrance gates to the estate become a focal point of the property, and so these feature on the labels too, along with the distinctive pattern found on antique doors throughout the farm. A pot-still reflects the heritage of brandy-making on the farm, with premium pot-still brandy still a key part of the estate portfolio.
The first Zinfandel grapes – a varietal popularly associated with California – were planted at Blaauwklippen in 1977, with the first vintage released in 1980, and Blaauwklippen is currently one of only three South African wineries producing Zinfandel, and the first winery outside the USA to join the Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (ZAP).
Blaauwklippen’s Zinfandel portfolio also extends to a Noble Late Harvest, a unique Méthode Cap Classique from 100% Zinfandel, and a soon-to-be-released Zinfandel Gin.
Blaauwklippen White Zinfandel sells for R125 and Red Zinfandel for R135 at the cellar door and online at www.blaauwklippen.com. The wines are also available at Makro and specialist wine stores.
