Clos Malverne Reserve 'Auret', Basket Pressed, Stellenbosch 2020

The vines are on the gentle slopes on the side of the valley and are drip-irrigated from a dam on the property. The Pritchard family used to send their grapes to a local co-operative but started making their own wines in 1985 and quickly achieved recognition. In 1995 they were the first winery to produce a classic Cape Blend (30-70% Pinotage) and the first to receive five stars for a Cape Blend from the influential Platter Wine Guide. Winemaking here is traditional with the emphasis very much on producing ‘handcrafted’ wines with minimum interference. They still use traditional basket presses which, although time consuming, do produce wines of great elegance and complexity. Fermentation is in open top cement fermenters with hand punching down of the cap. The top reds are then matured in small barrels of French and American oak. The vineyard produces about 350 tonnes per annum and is still very much a family affair. The estate also has a restaurant, accommodation and even a spa to relax in!