Avondale is a wine farm that is situated on the slopes of the Klein Drakenstein, in the majestic Cape Winelands. Avondale is a family farm where we appreciate that the health and balance of our living system is linked to the well-being of our families. With 4 generations of the family living on the farm, this inspiration is being driven by Avondale’s proprietor – Johnathan Grieve.
Johnathan Grieve
Family man… as a father, a husband, a son and brother, my inspiration to achieve a robust, balanced vineyard ecosystem is to ensure that Avondale will support the lives of our future generations.
Artist… a passion for jazz and a love for all forms of art, especially woodwork and sculpture led me into four years of fine art studies – an eclectic education for a budding a farmer, for sure! However, I have found that in so many ways, the patterns, interconnections and openness of the artistic worldview have influenced my understanding of how living systems work.
Farmer… my interest in farming started early when I was a boy growing up on a small-holding on the edge of Durbanville. I planted and tended my own vegetables which I sold to family and friends. I hardly imagined at that time though that I would one day become a farmer with a keen interest in health and wellbeing. However, the theme of a healthy balanced lifestyle was an integral part of my family’s outlook.
Avondale … is one of only a few South African farms that is farmed organically and biodynamically. Our ethos, Terra Est Vita meaning ‘Soil is Life’ encapsulates our view of Avondale Estate as a dynamic living system where soil, water and energy; plants, animals and people; even our buildings, are part of a complex web of relationships and networks, interconnected and interdependent.
Wines … When we dispatch Avondale wines worldwide, our intention is that our wines will play a role in creating harmony and enhancing joy in the lives of those who drink them. We are mindful that whether an Avondale wine is part of a family dinner, celebration, a memorable gathering, or a solitary interlude – we are all connected in those moments by a shared love of life.
Premium Quality Wines … our commitment to working in harmony with Mother Nature supporting our healthy vineyard ecosystem ensures the premium quality of Avondale’s slowly crafted artisanal wines. Working with nature leads to excellent grapes bursting with natural fresh flavors that are evident in our individually-styled, classic wines.
Certified Organic … Avondale is certified organic. We also practice bio-dynamic agriculture. We marry these with contemporary science, technology and our knowledge of this particular terroir creating a holistic approach. No chemicals are used in the vineyards or in the cellar. No chemicals are added to the grapes when they arrive at the cellar. All our fermentations are spontaneous caused naturally by the unique yeasts present on the grapes.
Animals … as part of our commitment to the Circle of Life, we have a specific blend of different animals. From ducks, chickens, Angus beef, horses, meerkats, buck, bat-eared foxes, lynx, leopard, and a wide range of birds including the magnificent African Fish Eagle – all forming an intricate network in sustaining our natural biodiversity.
Food … we’d love to welcome you as a guest to our contemporary “farm-to-fork” restaurant – FABER. Here Chef Dale, with minimum intervention crafts nourishing and healthy food from our gardens and orchards. We approach each ingredient with the utmost care and provide you with a handcrafted food experience using the finest fresh and organic ingredients; creating wholesome, innovative dishes that take guests on a memorable foody journey.
On behalf of the Avondale family, I extend an open invitation to you to experience a memorable wine, food and the ambiente of the farm. In the meantime we hope to be part of your family celebrations.
Wine focus:
Quevri 2019 release: We are excited to announce the release of our unique Quevri fermented Red wine.
Fermented in these magnificent clay vessels has allowed this wine to breathe as it fermented and as it aged in the clay it brought a beautiful brightness of fruit and minerality to the wine. It fits into Avondale’s slow winemaking philosophy and in this light characterful wine you will experience the unbridled grape flavour of our wines.
VINEYARDS: 10 to 20 year old vines, cultivated organically. The vines yielded 8 tons per hectare.
GRAPE VARIETIES: 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah & 15% Mourvedre
WINEMAKING: The grapes were picked between 22° and 23 °B and each variety was treated separately. Grenache were destemmed into Qvevri, with a daily punch down during fermentation. The wine were left on skins for 1 month, then pressed and went back in Qvevri to age. The Syrah and Mourvedre went whole bunch into Qvevri with a daily punch down during fermentation. After 3 months on stems and skins the wine were pressed and went back in Qvevri to age. They were aged in the Qyevri for approximately a year and then blended and bottled.
Our Winemaker CORNé SAYS: Abundance of succulent red fruit – raspberry, mulberry, strawberry with violets and spice as result from the whole-bunch. Unmistakable minerality /earthiness from the Qvevri on the nose are very inviting. This carries through on the palate with a bright natural acidity which gives a wonderful freshness and drinkability to the wine. The wine has a great balance between: the fine tannins of the whole bunch/bright natural acidity/abundance of fruit/ earthiness that keeps you intrigued and wanting more
AGEING: Enjoy immediately but it will definitely enhance your cellar should you wish to lay it down for four years.