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Seven Springs Vineyard

South Africa - Western Cape - Overberg
Sandfonein Farm, R320 Hemel en Aarde road, Caledon , 7230
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Seven Springs Vineyard

Seven Springs Vineyard profile photo
Seven Springs Vineyard profile photo
Seven Springs Vineyard profile photo
Seven Springs Vineyard profile photo

About us

Seven Springs Vineyard is a premium wine producer, situated on the R320 Hemel en Aarde Valley road, between the seaside town of Hermanus and the spa town of Caledon, in the picturesque Western Cape, South Africa. The vineyard nestles between Shaws Mountain to the north and the Teslaarsdal Mountain Range to the south, with Walker Bay and the Atlantic Ocean beyond these mountains. It is this oceanic influence, coupled with our shale derived soils, known locally as Bokkeveld Shale, that gives our vines the potential to produce exceptional grapes from both north and south facing vineyards. Noble varieties, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Pinot Noir, have been planted to express the full potential of each cultivar.

History

English owners Tim & Vaughan Pearson purchased 12 hectares of land in 2006 along the R320 Hemel en Aarde Road near Hermanus in the Western Cape of South Africa. The land had cattle roaming on it when it was purchased and in 2007 and 2008 vines were planted 8.5 hectares. 2010 saw us produce our first wines when our winemaker Riana van der Merwe joined us making our first vintage. As our vines age our wines are gaining complexity and structure. Since 2018 we have made our wines at our own winery and winemaker / vigneron Gus Dale joined us when Riana left for a new life in Australia. 

Vineyard & Terroir

Our soil type is called Bokkeveld Shale (known as Malmesbury Shale) and our vineyard is situated just 12 kilometers from the cooling Atlantic Ocean. A unique microclimate in our vineyard ensures slower ripening of the grapes.  

Winemaking & Aging

Our winemaking (and vineyard approach) is one of minimum intervention. That is a minimal use of fungicides and pesticides in the growing of our vines and as natural a process as we can in the winery. Our winemaker / vigneron, Gus Dale, is very keen on using natural fermentation (wild yeasts) and our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (oaked) have been innoculated this way in the past.  

Although our vines were only planted in 2007 and 2008 our wines have so far shown excellent ageing potential, both in our red and white wines. In fact our Sauvignon Blanc, in our opinion, is better at 3 to 5 years old.

At The Winery

Our winery and tasting room were finished in time for our 2018 vintage. We are now well and truly 'up and running' and welcoming visitors from Europe, South Africa, and other countries.

Opening Hours

Monday 8am to 5pm
Tuesday 8am to 5pm
Wednesday 8am to 5pm
Thursday 8am to 5pm
Friday 8am to 5pm
Saturday September to April 11am to 4pm
Sunday September to April 11am to 4pm

Press & Awards

Decanter (DWWA) GOLD for our 2012 Syrah

International Wine Challenge (IWC) SILVER for our 2012 Chardonnay and 2013 Sauvignon Blanc

Decanter (DWWA) BRONZE for our 2011 Chardonnay and 2012 Unoaked Chardonnay

International Wine Challenge (IWC) BRONZE for our 2012 Pinot Noir

Decanter (DWWA) BRONZE for our 2013 Pinot Noir

International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) BRONZE for our 2013 Unoaked Chardonnay

International Wine Challenge (IWC) BRONZE for our 2014 Sauvignon Blanc

Decanter (DWWA) SILVER for our 2014 Chardonnay

International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) SILVER for our 2013 Pinot Noir and 2013 Syrah 

Decanter (DWWA) SILVER for our 2015 Chardonnay and 2015 Sauvignon Blanc

Platter 4.5* for our 2016 Sauvignon Blanc (2019 Platter Guide)

Platter 4.5* for our 'Art Series' Fume Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2015 (2020 Platter Guide, only 300 bottles of this wine made)

Platter 4.5* for our Sauvignon Blanc 2017 (2020 Platter Guide)

Platter 4* for our 2015 Pinot Noir and Syrah (2020 Platter Guide)

 

Our Wines

  • Vintage
  • Name
  • Type
  • Appelation / Production Area
  • Price (USD)
  • Award
  • More Info
  • Seven Springs Vineyard wine
  • 2016
  • Seven Springs Chardonnay
  • White
  • Overberg
  • $15 - $20
  • award

Grape Varieties

  • Chardonnay 100%

Winemaker Comments

The 2012 harvest season was characterised by healthy, ideal growing conditions and a cool, though lengthened, harvesting period without rain or prolonged heat. As August was warmer than usual, bud burst was a week early in some blocks. Abnormally cold and rainy conditions during the second part of flowering resulted in uneven flowering and berry set, with high disease pressure, which Peter, our viticulturist, managed to control very well. Weather conditions were back to normal in December, and less wind than usual resulted in little damage to vines than previously in previos years. January was exceptionally hot, but through scheduled irrigation the harsh effects were significantly reduced. The ripening period in February and March was further characterised by ideal weather conditions; cool and dry for slow ripening, resulting in good colour and flavour in all blocks. The dry weather also contributed to healthy grapes with minimal disease and rot. The crop quality and size was very good and for some producers one of the best years. The Seven Springs Chardonnay 2012 was fermented and aged in second and third fill French oak and forth fill American oak, 300L barrels. Wild/natural fermentation started in stainless steel tank and two days later the fermenting juice was transferred to barrel to complete fermentation. There was no malolactic fermentation on this wine. The wine was left to mature on the lees for 11 months to aid in the development of the creamy palate.

Press & Reviews

  • International Wine Challenge (IWC) Silver
  • Seven Springs Vineyard wine
  • 2015
  • Seven Springs Pinot Noir
  • Red
  • Overberg
  • $15 -20
  • award

Grape Varieties

  • Pinot Noir 100%

Winemaker Comments

The start of the growing season was cool, with a quite a few overcast days and regular showers. None of the customary gale force winds prevailed early in the season and the grapevines were able to flourish, but the south easter wind was out in force throughout December. Hardly any rain was recorded from mid-November, and with unrelenting heat from January onwards, producers were challenged by particularly tricky irrigation management. The ripening period was dry and warm making it a bit more condensed for us

Press & Reviews

  • International Wine Challenge (IWC) Bronze
  • Platters South African Wine Guide 4*
  • Seven Springs Vineyard wine
  • 2016
  • Seven Springs Sauvignon Blanc
  • White
  • Overberg
  • $10 - 15
  • award

Grape Varieties

  • Sauvignon Blanc 100%

Press & Reviews

  • Platters South African Wine Guide 4.5*
  • Seven Springs Vineyard wine
  • 2015
  • Seven Springs Syrah
  • Red
  • Overberg
  • $15-20
  • award

Grape Varieties

  • Syrah 100%

Winemaker Comments

Harvested on 3 different days, picking at optimum ripeness, the fruit was transported to the winery, processed and transferred to stainless steel tanks. Dry ice was added to the fruit processed to slow down oxidation and help keep the fruit cool. It was then left to ‘cold soak’ for two days by which time the juice had taken on an intense purple colour and aromas of blackcurrent and mint. The wine was fermented in the tanks, with twice daily pump-overs to aerate the wine and supply oxygen to the yeast. The wine was then moved to 2nd and 3rd fill French oak barrels and left to mature for 15 months. The fruit processed 5 days later was put in a separate tank as whole bunches. It did not undergo ‘cold-soak’. The must was inoculated and left to ferment dry, after which the wine was left on the skins for a few days, giving extended skin contact. The Syrah vines were planted in 2007 on the north facing slope at 240 meters elevation. Syrah is known for its spicy and smoky flavours coming from the oak barrels and the clones selected. Clones SH1C and SH21K give the resulting wine a berry profile with spicy undertones. Clone SH9C also gives a smoky and spicy profile but given that it is used in only a small part of the Syrah vineyard, (with only 1.3 tons of the total 15 tons -10%) it has a big impact on the whole production.

Press & Reviews

  • Platter Guide 4*
  • Seven Springs Vineyard wine
  • 2016
  • Seven Springs Unoaked Chardonnay
  • White
  • Overberg
  • $10-14

Grape Varieties

  • Chardonnay 100%

Winemaker Comments

The Seven Springs harvest season had never started so late, for producers across the Western Cape it was not only late but also around two weeks shorter than usual. The prolonged winter conditions had continued well into September in some areas and was followed by a cool spring, with the occasional rains and even floods on some farms. These cold, wet weather conditions ensured even bud burst across the vineyard, and the accumulation of water allowed the vines to cope with the warmer conditions later in the season. The vineyards had good growth in ideal dry weather conditions during flowering and whilst the fruit set, which happens around late October early November. We experienced none of the customary gale force winds which often prevail early in the season and the grapevines were able to flourish, but the southeaster was out in force throughout December. From mid January until April the conditions were hot and dry, making it a challenging year with respect to irrigation management. The ripening period was dry and warm, keeping our harvest season quite short.

  • Seven Springs Vineyard wine
  • 2019
  • Seven Springs Syrah Rose
  • Rose
  • Overberg
  • $10-14

Grape Varieties

  • Syrah 100%

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