Advertorial: Haute Cabrière’s pioneering Cap Classique – Pierre Jourdan

Haute Cabrière’s

pioneering Cap Classique Pierre Jourdan

Cap Classique celebrates 50 years of South African vintages in 2021. Haute Cabrière is proud to be a chapter in this story.

Haute Cabrière, a family-owned winery in Franschhoek, has been creating quality wines with the classic Burgundian and Champagne varietals of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir since the 1980s. The traditional method of bottle fermented sparkling wine, known in the French province of Champagne as Méthode Champenoise and in South Africa as Méthode Cap Classique, is part of the von Arnim family’s DNA. In 1986, Achim von Arnim, Haute Cabrière’s founding cellar master, was the first to create and release

a South African Cap Classique exclusively from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – no surprise at all given his passion for pioneering unique blends. This year, 2021, South Africa celebrates 50 years of creating Cap Classique wines, and Haute Cabrière is proud to be part of that foundation.

The early years

After many years spent in the vineyards of France and Germany while studying viticulture in Geisenheim, Achim returned to South Africa with a vision to create a South African Cap Classique that contends with the prestigious Champagne houses of France.

After years of creating wine as cellar master for respected vineyards in the Cape, Achim set out on a journey to build his own innovative cellar and to carve his personal legacy within the wine industry. He had a dream to establish a cellar that specialised in the wine styles of Champagne and Burgundy based on the philosophy, sun, soil, vine, man.

Achim chose the land of Haute Cabrière based on what he found stuck to the soles of his shoes. While visiting possible sites, the Haute Cabrière soils left his boots covered in thick clay – something he was familiar with during his time in the Burgundy region of France where he had worn the exact same shoes in the vineyards. Soils such as these support ancient vines in France and now were discovered thousands of miles away in Franschhoek. An important discovery and the humble beginnings of Haute Cabrière.

CAP CLASSIQUE TIMELINE

1971–1980 | Kaapse Vonkel Cap Classique

Created by France Malan of Simonsig, this is the first Cap Classique produced in South Africa (various varietals are used).

1980 | Achim von Arnim, cellar master at Boschendal

Achim enters the Cap Classique landscape. He insists the wine fraternity strives for quality based on working with classic varietals of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – something only seen in Champagne then. Achim spearheads the planting of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at Boschendal.

1982 | Achim von Arnim purchases first land

The first farm of Haute Cabrière is acquired by Achim. He replants the neglected farmland with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Cellar construction begins.

1984 | Achim von Arnim’s first vintage

While waiting for the young vines to establish on his land, Achim purchases grapes from friends: Chardonnay from Danie de Wet and Pinot Noir from Jannie Engelbrecht of Vrede en Lust. He begins to produce his first Cap Classique. This spends two years on the lees.

1986 | First Pierre Jourdan Brut Cap Classique

Haute Cabrière releases Pierre Jourdan Brut, using a blend of exclusively Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. Achim, true to French tradition, names the wine after the original 1694 landowner, French Huguenot, Pierre Jourdan.

The next generation

Today, 35 years later, the Pierre Jourdan range of Cap Classique has expanded from the first Brut to include the prestigious Blanc de Blancs, Belle Rose, and the Belle Nectar Demi-Sec Rosé, loved locally in South Africa and abroad. Under the watchful eye of Achim’s son, cellar master Takuan von Arnim, the Haute Cabrière dream is expanded and achieved with each vintage founded on quality and authenticity in the cellar. “My father uncovered and cut a diamond, and I am here to polish it,” comments Takuan. While the Pierre Jourdan range continues to offer a competitive price, it delivers on quality. In recent years, Takuan’s focus has been the Blanc de Blancs, the flagship Cap Classique. This wine is an ode to Champagne, specifically the region of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The wine centres around experimentation in time on the lees, something Takuan prides himself on and is in keeping with the pioneering spirit of Haute Cabrière.

Find your perfect Pierre Jourdan Cap Classique

With summer and the festive season fast approaching, having Cap Classique in your wine rack is a must. From brunches to celebrations, it is said that having a bottle in the fridge is a reason to celebrate!

There are four Cap Classiques in the Pierre Jourdan range, each offering an experience and created to appeal to differing tastes and moods.

Pierre Jourdan Brut

Haute Cabrière’s first Cap Classique, created to be a proudly South African wine, while paying tribute to the Champagne region in France.

In the glass: Enjoy delicate yeasty aromas on the nose, complemented by fresh citrus flavours and crisp acidity.

When you are looking for: Heartfelt happiness and special memories.

Price & availability: R155 from the cellar door, www.cabriere.co.za Pierre Jourdan Belle Nectar

The Belle Nectar takes all the delights of Pinot Noir and celebrates a sweeter palate. This Cap Classique is the youngest member of the family and is certainly the trendsetter as far as Cap Classiques go.

In the glass: Enjoy strawberries and rose petals on the nose, with a sweet palate.

When you are looking for: Celebration at any time of the day.

Price & availability: R155 from the cellar door, www.cabriere.co.za

Pierre Jourdan Blanc de Blancs Pierre Jourdan Belle Rose

Inspired by the Le Mesnil-sur-Oger region of France, this Cap Classique was created in a pursuit of perfection to match the style of the Champagne region and celebrate Chardonnay.

In the glass: Enjoy 100% Chardonnay expressing citrus notes and delicate hints of oak on the nose. The fulltextured palate has hints of passion fruit with a fine and elegant mousse.

When you are looking for: A lifetime – from engagements to birthdays, reunions, anniversaries and spectacular sunsets.

Price & availability: R245 from the cellar door, www.cabriere.co.za When cellar master Takuan von Arnim’s grandmother, Theodora, saw this in her glass, she insisted on it being called “Beautiful Rose!” Translated into the French – Belle Rose.

In the glass: Enjoy a full nose of strawberries and cream, followed by fresh acidity and red fruit on the palate.

When you are looking for: Bliss surrounded by the ones you love.

Price & availability: R155 from the cellar door, www.cabriere.co.za

Elephant Coast

KwaZulu-Natal — The wildlife, such as elephant and rhino, and the Wetland Park, iSimangaliso as well as the whales and turtles make the Elephant Coast - an 'Ecotourism Mecca' of the Zulu Kingdom of South Africa's province of KwaZulu-Natal. The region is a paradise of natural wonders with an incredible 21 different ecosystems.

www.elephant-coast-info.co.za

WHERE? KwaZulu-Natal's Elephant Coast stretches from the world heritage site of Lake St Lucia in the south, to Kosi Bay, virtually on the Mozambique border.