Cultivars

At Welgegund Heritage Wines we believe that the vines we source our grapes from and the grapes they produce are the cornerstone of every wine we create. We regard these vineyards as our greatest blessing. We work with very closely with master growers and together ensure that the vines are given individual attention and nurturing but that as much as possible is left to Mother Nature’s expert hand.

Our minimum intervention ideology begins here and we source only from strong, resilient and characterful vines that naturally produce low yields of exceptional quality grapes full of flavour, colour and intensity, steeped in the influences of their surroundings.

Certified Old Vine Cultivars

A very special part of Welgegund Wine’s legacy is the wine we produce from Certified Heritage Vines and we are very proud to be a member of the Old Vine Project. Wine made from vines that are at least 35 years old and are registered with the Old Vine Project may carry a certification seal, guaranteeing their authenticity. We are extremely fortunate to be able to select grapes from several Certified Heritage Vineyards, the oldest of which are Chenin Blanc and Cinsault vineyards, planted in 1974 and a Carignan vineyard, planted in 1979.

Cinsault is a red grape vine with an ancient heritage, which may have originated in Hérault region in the South of France, where it is still widely planted. It holds a special place in South Africa’s viticulture as one of the parents of the uniquely South African Pinotage varietal.

It produces large, dark and thick skinned grapes in tight clusters that easily break away from the vine. An early ripening cultivar, it is a drought tolerant vine that thrives in hot climates. Old vines grown in these hot, dry conditions produce naturally low yields resulting in the best quality wines.

Traditionally a blending grape and one of the varietals permitted in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines, it has become popular as a single varietal. It is a bright, clear red wine, with perfumed aromas and woody, spiced flavours.

Carignan is a red grape vine, believed to be a very old varietal that most likely originated in the Aragon region in Spain.

It is a late budding and late ripening variety, that needs a hot growing season for the grapes to achieve optimal ripeness and thrives in dry conditions.

Historically used as a blending wine, more recently it has come into its own as single varietal. Its deep colours range from dense purple to dark ruby and it typically has intense flavours, with red berry and spicy notes. There are only about one hundred hectares of Carignan plantings in South Africa and wines made from old bush vines in the hot, dry wine growing regions, are considered to be excellent quality wines.

Other Cultivars

Cultivars: The specifically chosen vines that produce our grapes are a bestowal from those who loved and tended the land they grow on long before us. Their understanding of the terroir, their dedication to planting varietals ideally suited to Wellington’s unique conditions and the care with which these vineyards have been nurtured and preserved, have created a unique and precious legacy. We are ever mindful of this history as we strive to marry the old with the new and so create exceptional wines that are a true reflection of both their heritage and their unique vintage.

Syrah is a red grape vine which has its origins in Southeast France. It is the offspring of two other varietals, Dureza, a dark skinned grape from the Ardèche region, and Mondeuse Blanche, a white skinned grape cultivated in the Savoy. These varietals have largely disappeared from French vineyards and only small plantings are still found.

Syrah is an mid/late ripening varietal, with a short harvest period. As a result, harvesting should be a delicate process done by hand. The grapes prefer a dry climate and soils that allow for deep root penetration. Syrah vines are sensitive to frost and in the spring, long, fragile shoots emerge so they are best carefully trellised. They produce generally small grape bunches and small, dark skinned berries.

A globally widely grown and versatile grape, Syrah is used for both single varietal and blended wines, where it may successfully be a major or a minor component. Single varietal Syrahs are dark and full bodied with powerful flavours of black fruits and oak.