QUOIN ROCK: BRINGING HOME THE GOLD

COVER STORY | QUOIN ROCK

e Quoin Rock 2014 Black Series MCC shows prominent notes of green apple, honeyoats, biscuit, and lime Aaromas, supported by interesting mineral characters. WARDHow QUOIN ROCK estate is cleaning up the competition

WINNING WINES

and So Much More

Follow the dusty road through the Knorhoek Valley, and you'll nd Quoin Rock sitting oh-so-pretty. Along with views for days, this historic wine estate provides a dream-like setting for wine-tasting, picnics, ne dining and tranquil mountain escapes.

Tucked away on top of a hill, Quoin Rock is still considered a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to Stellenbosch wine estates. But, this hidden gem is beating big names at one of the world’s largest international wine competitions. At this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), the proudas-punch estate took home both gold and platinum medals for their Vine Dried 2019 vintage and 2014 Black Series MCC. Held in London, 2021 saw the DWWA competition invite more than 160 judges (including 44 Masters of Wine and 11 Master Sommeliers) to judge a whopping 18 000 wines from 56 countries.

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IN THE WORDS OF THE WINEMAKER

Schalk Opperman, Quoin Rock’s winemaker says, “We’re incredibly proud to be listed among the top South African wine farms and believe that it is the magni cent terroir Quoin Rock calls home that helps us create quality wine.” When asked about receiving a Platinum Medal for the Quoin Rock 2014 Black Series MCC, Schalk says, “It shows that we’re serious about our MCC, that it can compete with the best of Champagne.”

Schalk describes their platinum winner MCC as a classic Champagne-style blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A rare-vintage release, this bottle of bubbles is made from hand-picked grapes that have been whole-bunch pressed and stored in French oak barrels. e gold award-winning Vine Dried 2019 vintage is a Sauvignon Blanc made from whole-bunch grapes that were cold-soaked for 12 hours, pressed-o to holding tanks, and le to settle for 2 days, this dry white wine was then le to mature in French oak barrels for 5 months.

It’s not the rst time that Quoin Rock has achieved this kind of success at the Decanter Awards. In fact, for the last 6 years, every wine entered in the competition has achieved a score worthy of a medal. “It is what motivates us to keep momentum and passion in what we do,” says Schalk.

Serve the fruity white Vine Dried 2019 vintage with foie gras, a fruitbased dessert, or cheese. quoin rock | cover story

A CulinAry Adventure AwAits

On top of award-winning wines, Quoin Rock is also home to Gåte restaurant. Visitors are invited to enjoy a variation of menus—from two-course daytime dining to the full Chef’s experience of a seven-course dinner.

Gåte Head Chef Jack Coetzee is inspired by Southern African ingredients, local cooking techniques and farm-to-table cooking—drawing from the bountiful array of ingredients available on his doorstep. One of the many aspects that makes the estate’s restaurant unique is that the Gåte menu is sustainably and locally sourced.

• For a light lunch… enjoy cheese and charcuterie platters with a Quoin Rock wine tasting. • For something more filling… treat yourself to Gåte’s day menu, (including two, three and five-course tasting menus) or a picnic under the Pergolas. • For something really special… pop in for dinner and enjoy a seven-course tasting or vegan tasting menu and experience Gåte Restaurant by night.

To find out more visit www.quoinrock.co.za Call +27 21 888 4750 Email gate@quoinrock.co.za Quoin Rock Wine Estate, Knorhoek Road, Knorhoek Valley, Stellenbosch, 7600

Did you know that Head Chef Jack Coetzee of Gåte Restaurant offers a seven-course vegan tasting menu too?

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