Peter-Allan Finlayson has been appointed as winemaker at Gabriëlskloof

Gabriëlskloof Wine Estate, Bot River, is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter-Allan Finlayson as its new winemaker from 1st July 2014.

The move comes as a result of Peter-Allan’s own brand, Crystallum, needing a more permanent winemaking home, and a logical move was to Gabriëlskloof. Peter-Allan will thus be making his own wines as well as the Gabriëlskloof wines on the estate. He is excited for the new challenge, and looks forward to be continuing the tradition of Finlayson family winemaking here with his father in law and owner of Gabriëlskloof, Bernhard Heyns, and Peter-Allan’s wife Nicolene, who is also involved in the business.

“This is really an incredible opportunity. I look forward to building on the great work of Kobie, and entering into a new, challenging winemaking chapter in my life. Bot River has some of the best soils in the country, and this area, while already having produced world class wines, will only become more renowned.” Says Peter-Allan.

Bernhard is delighted to have his son in law as the new winemaker, and sees it an important evolutionary step in Gabriëlskloof’s progress. “Apart from the fact that it’s sometimes necessary to re-focus and rethink a business like Gabriëlskloof, it’s clear to us that Peter-Allan has the necessary flair and passion to take our wines to the next level.”

Kobie Viljoen, winemaker from 2008 to date, played an important role in setting up the wines for the success they have achieved since Gabriëlskloof’s maiden vintage in 2008. Under Kobie’s careful guidance, the estate has gained recognition as a producer of top quality wines.  Says Kobie of his experience “I am proud to have been associated with Gabriëlskloof and the Heyns family and grateful for the successes we’ve achieved together in the past six years”.

Gabriëlskloof began its journey in 2002 when fate destined Bernhard to meet Barry Anderson, local farmer, who’s wife fell in love with the little ramshackle cottage on the farm Avontuur where she used to graze her horses. Bernhard’s vision was to establish a winery in Bot River starting with a clean palette, and the decision to buy and develop Avontuur (soon to be renamed for the original owner in 1860, Gabriel le Roux) came quickly. Barry and his wife, Catherine moved to the farm to renovate the cottage that is today their home. Barry is the director and viticulturist for Gabriëlskloof, and Catherine is the marketing manager. Together with Bernhard and Kobie, they formed the core team that would build up Gabriëlskloof to become the lovely, characterful farm it is today, a mere 12 years on.

In this new chapter of Gabriëlskloof’s story, Peter-Allan and Nicolene will form part of this core team, and will share the vision of creating wines of distinction from Bot River. (In tandem with the existing Crystallum brand, which focuses mostly on Hemel-and-Aarde grapes).

 

Gabriëlskloof is a special destination winery on the outskirts of the Botriver Wine ward in the Walker bay District. Apart from a stylish tasting room with its cosy fireplace and views of the Babylonstoren mountains, the cellar complex boasts a Restaurant, where delicious, hearty fare is served with love by chef-owner Frans Groenewald and his wife Mariaan, as well as a delightful little chapel for weddings.