A single-vineyard Syrah from the Old Road Wine Co. in Franschhoek re-affirmed its commitment to showcasing a unique sense of place by winning a National Award at this year’s Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards, South Africa’s only competition specifically recognising wines showing exceptional linkage to geographical site. Pepper Wind Syrah 2017 was named one of 32 National Winners out of 240 entries, and the top Syrah on show.

According to Ryan Puttick, Old Road Wine Co. cellarmaster, winning the Terroir National Award is tremendously satisfying as it recognises wines which show the unique personality and character of very specific vineyard sites which is the raison de l’être of the Old Road Wine Co.  

“With the Pepper Wind Syrah, it is all about place of origin,” he says.  “The Pepper Wind vineyard is situated on a steep easterly facing slope 380m above sea level in the Franschhoek Mountains. The Syrah Clone 21 is planted in well drained weathered shale and granite soils in a North-South row direction. The vineyard sits just under the famous Franschhoek “cloud-fall” created by the prevailing South Easterly wind blowing over the Franschhoek Mountains. This wind is responsible for cooling the vineyard in the late afternoon and evening and is instrumental in the ‘peppery’ characteristic found in the wine. Meticulous attention to detail is paid to the vineyard and the resultant low yields delivers a pure and concentrated expression of the terroir.”

This is a perfect example of a wine with its own unique character and personality which is a pure reflection of where it is grown in Franschhoek and will be very difficult to imitate.

“It is characterised by excellent balance between bright, juicy fruit and integrated spicy oak with a coated acidity and earthy minerality.”

The Novare Terroir Award is a continuation of a strong run for Old Road Wine Co.’s Pepper Wind Syrah. The 2017 vintage recently was also placed among South Africa’s Top 12 Syrah wines in the National Shiraz Challenge, and also scored a commendable 91pts in the latest SA Report by Tim Atkin MW.

“That is the aim of the Old Road Wine Co., to create premium wines showcasing Franschhoek’s diversity of terroir as well as grape cultivars and wine styles,” he says. “For a young winery, the recent spate of awards and recognition from top critics has exceeded our expectations and placed Old Road firmly on the map as a top producer committed to continuing the fantastic wine legacy of Franschhoek.

This National Award at the same competition was not Old Road Wine Co.’s only achievement at this year’s Terroir Wine Awards. The Pepper Wind Syrah also won the award for Best Franschhoek Syrah. Other Old Road Wine Co. winners for Franschhoek were Best Chenin Blanc (Stone Trail Chenin Blanc 2018) and Best Semillon (Grand Mere Semillon 2017).