Pinot Gris isn’t exactly an abundant grape planted in Stellenbosch, but it is something Mick and Jeanine have a lot of fun working with. Although a lot of the wine drinking world think and assume it is a ‘white grape’ it is in fact a lovely coppery/dark rose skinned one. They identified this incredible site, called the Newlands Vineyard, farmed by Deon Joubert, on an easterly slope of the Polkadraai Hills facing back toward Stellenbosch. Though the block was only planted in 2007, the wine shows tremendous balance and intensity. Mick calls this skinsy style “the way Pinot Gris should be!” Every vintage gives Mick & Jeanine a run for their money, as this notorious wine is always rejected by the South African Wine & Spirit Board for not complying with the typicity of Stellenbosch. After lots of tedious back-and-forth, the appeals committee always comes around. At this point, it’s a dance the Cravens know by heart.
The grapes were hand harvested and brought back to the Stellenbosch winery. The 2023 marks the second vintage using concrete ‘squares’ for fermentation and aging. The grapes were destemmed, and the juice was left to soak on the skins for seven days. It was then racked and the skins were pressed back to concrete where it aged for eight months. The wine received a light sheet filtration, but no fining, and it was bottled with just 45 ppm sulfur.