I have known Ernst and Gwenda Gouws for a number of years, we served their wines in our restaurants in the 1990s. When we first met, Ernst was resident winemaker on a well known estate and now, he makes wine in Stellenbosch under his own label.
And the family are all involved in the industry as well. Daughter Inke is a Champagne Negotiante and Ezanne makes wine with Ernst, Gwenda does the Marketing and Sales.
When Ernst told me a couple of years ago he’d found a vineyard in Koekenaap, I was surprised that there were even vineyard there in this remote region on South Africa’s West Coast. When I heard it was a Pinot Noir Vineyard, I was even more surprised, but then I suppose Koekenaap’s proximity to the icy Atlantic Ocean and its chunks of broken limestone makes Pinot Noir feel right at home.
Ernst tells that the vines are now 10 years old and are giving tremendous character to the fruit. He says “The soil is sandy and drains easily, allowing the vines’ roots to be literally flushed with limestone. It is truly a unique Pinot Noir terroir, with the wines showing an interesting combination of classical Pinot structure and a slight maritime influence due to the vines only being eight kilometres from the ocean. Despite an abundance of water, the region’s coolness keeps yields down to only four tons per hectare.”
During harvest time – Koekenaap’s night-time temperatures are up to 5°C cooler than the Stellenbosch-based Ernst Gouws & Co Winery – grapes are picked and transported at night time to ensure constant coolness.
Ernst uses only French oak barrels for the two year maturation, 30% new and the remainder are second and third fill.
The classical Pinot Noir whiffs of wild herbs, field mushrooms and “forest-after-rain” support the sappy cherry, raspberry and cranberry fruits tailing off in a long aftertaste with the undertow of the beautiful oak.
This is a wine which in France is classically served with Coq au Vin and Boeuf Bourguignon. It goes equally well with slices of Iberian style or Black Forest ham or prosciutto.
Excellent price of R107 a bottle.
Ernst Gouws & Co is well known for its range of great wines. A delicious Merlot, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are produced.
Tasting and sales at The Koelenhof Winery from 09h00 to 17h00 [though 16h30 on Fridays] and Saturdays from 09h00 t0 13h00
Tel 021 865 2895
www.ernstco.co.za
