Ann Faure is the latest venture by Mick and Jeanine Craven of Craven Wines. The label name combines their children’s middle names, Ann and Faure, while also alluding to ‘amphorae,’ hinting at their use of concrete in aging. For nearly fifteen years now, the Cravens have been honing their craft, getting deeply familiar with their wind-swept vineyards, and building long-term relationships with growers in Stellenbosch. It was time for something new – new varieties, new packaging, and new aromas in the cellar. The idea behind starting the Ann Faure label was to branch out from the Craven lineup in terms of varieties, vineyards, and price points. However, the ethos remains the same: honest wines from honest growers.

The first wine to be released in the Ann Faure lineup is Pinot Noir, a grape that Mick and Jeanine used to have in their Craven line. It’s a variety they’ve always enjoyed drinking, and when an offer of fruit came their way, they couldn’t say no. They were drawn to the idea of creating an accessible Pinot, both in terms of style and price, yet that lacks nothing in dimension—a challenging rubric for Pinot from anywhere these days. In this sense, Ann Faure is a gateway, not just to the Craven’s wines, but to Stellenbosch, to South Africa even more broadly, and to soulful Pinot Noir that speaks of its terroir.

In the Cravens’ warehouse cellar where Ann Faure is made, Mick and Jeanine like to keep things simple. They seek ripe flavors but at lower alcohol levels and with plenty of acidity. There is no use of industrial yeasts throughout the winemaking process, and the wines are bottled with just a small dosage of sulfur. As time unfolds, we hope to see more wines joining the Ann Faure range. Our sources tell us we might see some blends of vineyards, grapes, and maybe even regions in the future. For now, we begin with the thin-skinned prince of reds, spreading its gospel from the ancient soils of Stellenbosch.