In winemaking, véraison is the mysterious moment when grapes stop growing and begin to ripen. The skins turn from green to a deep, promising red. It is a signal of transformation — the turning point from growth to maturity. For us, it is the philosophy that has guided everything we do.
Véraison Vineyards was born from a passion for the world’s finest wines and a coup de foudre — love at first sight — for the Franschhoek valley. Our Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted in 1999, with the maiden vintage released in 2006. Our goal was to create a South African wine that could stand alongside the world’s best: a perfect blend of New and Old World.
While our grapes were grown on our own Franschhoek farm, the wine itself was crafted at the acclaimed Marianne cellar in Stellenbosch. This allowed us to collaborate with some of the finest minds in the industry.
Since 2011, our wines were made under the expert guidance of celebrated French winemaker Christian Dauriac. In 2012, Christian invited his friend, the legendary Bordeaux consultant Michel Rolland, to join the blending process. During one tasting session, after perfecting a blend, Michel famously remarked with a smile:
“Someday, I will be famous for this wine.”
This collaboration marked a pivotal moment in our journey, cementing our commitment to creating exceptional, world-class wines. Our process has always been unhurried. The wines spend at least 18 months maturing in 100% new French oak barrels, followed by a decade or more of patient cellaring before they are released. This extended ageing is our signature, resulting in wines of remarkable depth, elegance, and complexity.
Our commitment extends to our community and our love for South African art. The striking labels for our wines are part of an ongoing ‘artist series’ designed to showcase the vibrant culture of South Africa. The very first label, for our 2007 vintage, was created after a chance encounter at the Grande Provence art gallery with the work of acclaimed South African artist Lionel Smit. It was a natural fit, and the beginning of a tradition.
A Final Chapter
Just as the world was emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, our vineyard was infected with the incurable Leafroll virus. Standard practice is to destroy the vines and leave the land fallow for several years. And so, with the 2021 harvest, the story of Véraison Vineyards wine has come to a quiet close. There will be no future vintages.
We are immensely proud of the wines we have created. The farm will continue to produce olive oil and plums, but the final chapter for our vineyard is now written. Every bottle that remains is a piece of its history — a finite collection from a special piece of land in the Franschhoek valley.