Old Vines Wines

SPRING VALLEY

Women's Empowerment Wines

Rosé 2001:

In keeping with Old Vines Wine Cellars' commitment to women's empowerment and things truly South African, the Spring Valley range has been expanded to include the cellar's first rosé. Old Vines, which has established itself as the leader and groundbreaker in producing top quality bottle-aged Chenin Blancs, has re-entrenched its women's empowerment efforts with the expansion of the Spring Valley range. Produced by mother and daughter team, Irina von Holdt and Françoise Botha, the release of the Spring Valley Rosé marks more firsts for the all-girl team at Old Vines - their first wine made from South Africa's national red variety, Pinotage, and their first rosé. "This was our first step on the road towards producing red wines and it seems fitting, considering our women's empowerment efforts, that it should be a wonderfully elegant pink. Not that it's girlie! This is a wine with great depth of flavour, generous Pinotage fruit and a long finish. In keeping with Old Vines' tradition, it is a delicious, stylish wine," says Fran. Market research indicates that there is increasing demand for dry rosé wines because they are very flexible food-pairing partners, and while they can be served refreshingly chilled on a warm summer's day, are equally acceptable as a wintertime apéritif. Rosé makes the perfect partner to smoked meat dishes like parma ham and salamis, or casual fare such as chicken, quiches and summer salads. The Spring Valley range, which highlights Old Vines' women's empowerment efforts, will be responsible for making the introduction of additional staff training and education schemes possible. Old Vines has committed to continued empowerment efforts and has provided jobs for 21 women from previously disadvantaged communities. Spring Valley Rosé is made from the grapes of old vines grown on the Polkadraai hills of Stellenbosch. The vineyard's close proximity to the sea, some five kilometres away, means that the vines remain relatively cool and produce grapes with delicate Pinotage flavours. Serve well chilled and enjoy!