About us
Topiary Wines, a Franschhoek-based winery owned and run by world-acclaimed Burgundy producer Philippe COLIN (from Chassagne-Montrachet).
Topiary Wines
Topiary Wines
- South Africa
- Western Cape
- Franschhoek
History
Topiary Wineswas originally a fruit farm called La Tramontane until 2005, when previous owner built a cellar and a tasting room and launched Topiary. In August 2014, acclaimed Burgundy producer Philippe Colin (also one of the guardians of the famous Colin-Deléger vineyards in Chassagne-Montrachet) became enchanted with the 64-hectare farm, and purchased the estate.
The landscape surrounding this boutique winery is dominated by the dramatic Klein Drakenstein mountains. Topiary Wines occupies a gently sloping lower mountain slope at the Wemmershoek Mountain’s foothills, among the fynbos and fauna of Franschhoek Wetlands, bordered on the North and South by low sandstone ridges. The estate greatly benefits from the surrounding mountain ranges (Hottentots Holland and Simonsberg) which form a wind-generating funnel that cools the vineyards, and results in even ripening and a pronounced elegance in the wines.
All the soils on the estate are sandy –products of Table Mountain sandstone and quartzite (Clovelley, Cartref, Glenrosa, Fernwood, Witfontein and La Motte). A thorough soil analysis was conducted in 1998 before planting 20 hectares of vineyards, and the data was used to select the perfect varieties (Shiraz, Cabernet and Chardonnay) and clones for each individual block.
The winery can process approximately 64 tons of grapes utilizing a sophisticated sorting line to ensure the best quality grapes are selected. Once the grapes have been sorted, they are put into satellite tanks and transferred to fermentation tanks via a gravity pulley system, before undergoing further aging. To both remain true to the farm’s original fruit farm status and create a biodiverse environment for flora and fauna to thrive, the remainder of the farm not under vine is planted to plum trees. Namesake, beautiful and carefully crafted topiary sculptures line the driveway, both welcoming and impressing visitors alike.
Vineyard & Terroir
We have our 2ha Chardonnay planted on steep rocky slopes behind the winery with 8ha Shiraz and 10ha Cabernet SauvignonWinemaking & Aging
12 months in French oak barrelsAt The Winery
Topiary tasting room is open 08:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday.
Cellar tours and tastings outside normal hours are available upon appointment.
Topiary also has 3 fantastic new guest cottages. They are brand new and each cottage has a king size bed, DSTV, kitchenette, en suite bathroom, braai facilities and a deck with a stunning view of the valley.
The cost is from R1200 per cottage per night
We also host weddings and functions in the tasting centre and gardens which have been developed with the topiary plant theme and boasts 30 magnificent plant designs. Children are welcome and the tasting centre is wheelchair friendly.
Opening Hours
| Monday | 8 to 5 |
| Tuesday | 8 to 5 |
| Wednesday | 8 to 5 |
| Thursday | 8 to 5 |
| Friday | 8 to 5 |
| Saturday | 8 to 5 |
| Sunday | 8 to 5 |
Press & Awards
We are proud of getting good reviews by British writer Tim Atkin and 4.5 stars from Platter’s for our 2017 Chardonnay.
Our Wines
- Vintage
- Name
- Type
- Appelation / Production Area
- Price (USD)
- Award
- More Info
-
- 2012
- MCC 2012 Blanc de Blancs
- Brut
- W.O. Franschhoek
- R195.00
Grape Varieties
- Chardonnay
Winemaker Comments
36 months on lease, leading to layers of apple pie, brioche and creamy richness.
-
- 2016
- Chardonnay 2016
- W.O. Franschhoek
- R184.00
Grape Varieties
- Chardonnay
Winemaker Comments
Tasting Notes : Full citrus fruit. Luxurious mouthfeel. Bright acidity and fresh lime finish. Variety : 100% Chardonnay Production : 5500 bottles Wine-making : Wine was settled and fermentation started with wild yeast in Stainless steel tanks for 1 week before transfer to 450l Rousseau Piano barrels (1/3 new). Alcoholic and Malolactic fermentation were completed in barrel and battonage was done every 2 weeks. Ageing Potential : 5-8 years Food Suggestions : Pan fried kingklip with a beurre blanc. Please contact us for orders. R 184,00 Analysis : Alcohol 13.82% Sugar 1.90/l Acidity 5. 7g/l PH 3.41
-
- 2017
- Chardonnay 2017
- W.O. Franschhoek
- R184.00
-
Grape Varieties
- Chardonnay
Winemaker Comments
Tasting Notes : A dry year to start with that offered wonderful aromas of nut, oatmeal and citrus. Graceful and fresh. Variety : 100% Chardonnay Production : 5000 bottles Wine-making : Wine was settled and fermentation started with wild yeast in Stainless steel tanks for 1 week before transfer to 450l Rousseau Piano barrels (1/3 new). Alcoholic and Malolactic fermentation were completed in barrel and battonage was done every 2 weeks. Ageing Potential : 5-8 years Food Suggestions : Pan fried kingklip with a beurre blanc. Please contact us for orders. R 184,00 Analysis : Alcohol 13,50%
Press & Reviews
- British writer Tim Atkin
- 4.5 stars from Platter’s
-
- 2013
- Shiraz 2013
- W.O. Franschhoek
- R138.00
-
Grape Varieties
- Shiraz
Winemaker Comments
Tasting Notes : Great intensity of flavour with white pepper, cedar and wild scrub spicing to the polished fruit and fine grained structure. Variety : 100% Shiraz Production : 13000 bottles Wine-making : After three days cold soak, the wine was fermented dry on the skins with St Georges and NT112 yeast strains. Wine was then bottled unoaked for maximum freshness and perfume. Ageing Potential : Drink now or up to 8 years Food Suggestions : Braaied lamb cutlets brushed with rosemary, garlic and olive oil or slow cooked lamb shank with rosemary jus Accolades : 4 Stars John Platter 2015 91 Points wine Spectator Silver Medal Michelangelo 2016 Please contact us for orders. R 138,00 Analysis : Alcohol 14.9% Sugar 3.0g/l Acidity 5.3g/l PH 3.63
Press & Reviews
- Platter
-
- 2016
- Syrah 2016
- W.O. Franschhoek
- R138.00
Grape Varieties
- Syrah
Winemaker Comments
Tasting Notes : Dark cherries and spice on attractive, understand yet notably ripe and sweet fruited. Variety : 100% Syrah Ageing Potential : Drink now or up to 10 years Please contact us for orders. R 138,00
-
- 2015
- Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
- W.O. Franschhoek
- R138.00
Grape Varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker Comments
Tasting Notes : Pure black currant, cedar and tobacco, medium bodied with great length and fine tannins. Variety : 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Ageing Potential : Drink now or up to 10 years Please contact us for orders. R 138,00
-
- 2018
- Chardonnay 2018
- W.O. Franschhoek
- R187.00
Grape Varieties
- Chardonnay
Winemaker Comments
Grapes are picked early in the morning to keep the freshness. The must is settled and the alcoholic fermentation starts with wild yeast in stainless steel tanks for 1 week before transfer to 450L Rousseau Piano barrels (French). Then, the Malolactic fermentation is done naturally during the 12 months ageing. Battonage done every 2 weeks.
-
- 2017
- Innocence 2017
- Blend Cab Sauv / Syrah
- W.O. Franschhoek
- R158.00
Grape Varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
Winemaker Comments
Grapes are picked at normal maturity. Then, after three days cold soak, the wine was fermented. Then matured in French oak barrels for 12 months to create a real complexity and freshness. Then blend before bottling.
Events
Promotions
Direction
Find Our Wines
Tasting rooms
South Africa
- Topiary Wines
- Wemmershoek Road
- Franschhoek, Western Cape, South Africa
- +27 (0) 218 670 258
- sales@topiarywines.co.za
- http://topiaryvineyards.simplesite.com/
Importers
France
- Domaine Philippe Colin
- ZA Le Haut des Champs
- Chassagne-Montrachet, Burgundy, France
- +33 3 80 21 90 49
- domainephilippecolin@orange.fr
- https://www.facebook.com/domaine-philippe-colin
South Africa
- Cape Classics
- Helderberg Rural
- Sir Lowry's Pass, Western Cape, South Africa
- +1 212-686-1300
- info@capeclassics.com
- http:// www.capeclassics.com
United Kingdom
- Seckford Agencies
- Old Barn Farm, Harts Lane, Ardleigh, CO7 7QQ
- Colchester, -, United Kingdom
- +44 1206 231188
- info@seckfordagencies.co.uk
- http://seckfordagencies.co.uk
Gallery
