Paarl, South Africa

After a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon and wine, we set out to explore some of the regions and wineries of the Western Cape. First stop was to the estate of David Finlayson of Edgebaston Wines in Stellenbosch. I’ve already written about David in part two and part three of this series, and it was a pleasure to spend a little more time with him. I can now happily announce that ABC will be carrying some of his wines exclusively in the state of Florida!

In early 2013 check your nearest ABC store for Edgebaston’s The Honey Comb (formerly know as The Honey Pot), a smooth and creamy blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Viognier; The Pepper Pot, six robust components that create one gutsy red wine; The Berry Box, mostly Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and fruit forward in the very best sense of the word, not to mention delicious; and Cast in Stone Sauvignon Blanc. Next we drove to the wine district of Paarl, which is South Africa’s third oldest European settlement (after Cape Town and Stellenbosch) and is home to the delightful Mary Lou Nash of Black Pearl Vineyards. Mary Lou, originally from New Hampshire, relocated to Paarl in 1995 and is currently chief winemaker, viticulturist, tractor driver, marketer and general ‘Jill of all trades’ at Black Pearl. She also makes a mean homebrewed
beer.

Next year will see the return of her delicious Black Pearl Oro to ABC. If you missed this great South African Shiraz the first time around, make sure you try it in early 2013—it’s something special. We will also be carrying The Mischief Maker which is a blend of Shiraz and Mourvedre from the same estate. (I must say that, in general, the quality of the Mourvedre we tasted in South Africa was excellent.)

Bill with Mary Lou Nash

We were also joined at the Nash abode by Jeremy and Emma Borg of Painted Wolf, who guided us through a tasting of their excellent wines. Jeremy studied viticulture in California at Rosenblum among other wineries. Returning to Africa he worked at a safari camp in Botswana where he rekindled his love for the African wilderness and met Emma. Rejoining the wine business Jeremy worked at Fairview, where he was responsible for the development of the popular Goats Do Roam wines. Eventually he began making his own wine, and in 2007 Jeremy and Emma established Painted Wolf Wines managing to combine their love of Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and Rhone blends with their passion for conservation. For each bottle sold a donation goes to research and conservation with particular interest in South Africa’s rarest and most endangered carnivore, the African Painted Wolf (aka the African Wild Dog).

Bill with Jermy and Emma Borg

Early next year look for Painted Wolf ‘The Den’ Chenin Blanc and Pinotage at ABC. Painted Wolf was recently recognized among the top 10 most successful producers in South Africa’s most prestigious wine competition.

A lot of great wine and that was only the first half of our day. More to come soon…

Bill Stobbs, ABC Wine Supervisor

(Follow me on Twitter @abcwinebills)