RED WINES
A lot of effort is spent trying to grow ripe vines to produce properly ripe fruit. The grapes are handpicked in small lugboxes. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts takes place in various small tanks and includes a pre-fermentation and post fermentation phase with regular punching down of the cap. The wine is transferred from the fermentation tanks directly to small French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation while still 'dirty', to better integrate flavours. The wines remain in barrels ( 30 - 50 % new ) with gentle, carefully timed rackings in a cool damp underground cellar for approx. 18 - 22 months - depending on the vintage. This is an active period of stabalization, flavour development and phenolic polymerization (softening ) rather than a passive period of oak flavour extraction. The natural development of the wine is allowed with the minimum of handling, which sometimes includes a light fining with fresh, free range egg whites and no filtration prior to bottling on the property.
WHITE WINE
The noble Chenin Blanc grapes are allowed to ripen to their full potential and picked only in the cool early morning ( before 9.00am ). The grapes are lightly pressed in a traditional basket press after a few hours skin contact and fermented with indigenous yeasts in small oak casks. The wine is matured for a further 6 months in casks before bottling on the property with only a light fining and no filtration.
STRAW WINE (VIN DE PAILLE)
The first of its kind in South Africa ! Chenin Blanc grapes are laid out to dry on racks ( or straw ). This raisining process concentrates the sugar, acidity and fruit flavours to produce a luscious, sweet dessert wine. Fermented and matured in new French and American oak barrels for extra richness.
De Trafford wines vary in their tasting qualities, but they have a distinctive personality - intensely flavoured and finely structured with great length and finesse. These are naturally made, living wines which will deposit a sediment - a healthy sign of a HANDCRAFTED WINE.
Max. production capacity : 3500 cases. |
