Craven - Cinsault 2021 (750ml)

"In terms of 'winemaking' we like to keep things as simple as possible. To try and achieve the wines we want to make, we feel the best methods are being hands off, while being very hands on. In other words we pay serious attention to the wine but we do not manipulate the wine. We believe the best way to express site and fruit is to show just that. We do not use cultured yeasts, enzymes, fining agents, etc. throughout the winemaking process. We only use older oak and try our best to find larger format barrels. We allow our wines to stabilise naturally if they so want to. Essentially a minimal amount of SO2 (which is our friend) is the only thing added to our wines."

Stellenbosch has an array of different sites and terroirs allowing Mick to “let the grapes do the talking…” The Cravens are working increasingly with farmers who are understanding the importance of cover crops and removing chemical treatments.

In terms of winemaking approach things are kept relatively simple; no cultured yeasts, enzymes or fining agents are added. Juice is pressed into old oak barrels and minimal additions of sulphur are used at bottling. 

Fully destemmed before fermentation to preserve acidity and matured in 500l neutral oak barrels.

The Cinsaut comes from the Rustenhof Farm in Faure. Vines are dry-farmed bush vines and planted on granite and sand.