Simonsig Wines
The Simonsig vineyards lies Northwest of Stellenbosch and is privately owned by the MALAN family. It produces some of the finest red and white wines as well as a sparkling wine made by the Cap Classique Methode the local Champenoise . The Stellenbosch region is recognised as the best wine producing area in South Africa and lies 45 kilometres east of Cape Town.
Simonsig wines available at Barrels and Bottles include:
Malan Vintners Semillon Sauvignon
Malan Vintners Cabernet Merlot
Simonsig Chenin Blanc
Simonsig unwooden Sauvignon
Simonsig Chardonnay
Simonsig Cabernet Shiraz
Simonsig Tiara
Simonsig Pinotage
Redhill Pinotage
Frans Malan Reserve
Merindol Vineyard Syrah
Harvest Report 2005
Report by Johan Malan Simonsig Chief Winemaker
While similar in size to the 2004 harvest, intensive teamwork in the Simonsig vineyards has left us with a sense of eager anticipation for the 2005 vintage. I’m delighted to report that wine overs can look forward to outstanding quality wines across our entire range.
We toast to a successful and well-integrated team effort, during what was probably one of the hottest harvests of the century. Fabulous rich red wines with firm tannin structures and great maturation potential is the favourable result of these uncharacteristic days we had to endure. Our grapes were healthy and very little disease problems were encountered due to low and erratic rainfall and relatively warm conditions last winter followed by an extremely dry summer.
Fortunately Simonsig’s water resources were sufficient to see us through summer, despite the fact that water from the
Theewaterskloof irrigation scheme was cut by 40% because of crucial water restrictions that were introduced in the Western Cape. It is, once again, important to acknowledge the role played by our viticulturists in the sound practices implemented in the vineyards.
Red Wines
Not surprisingly Shiraz triumphed as the star of the red wine vintage. With Simonsig’s quintessential terrior, ideal for this variety, nothing less was expected.
Merlot’s brilliant performance, showing unbelievable berry fruit intensity with the wines being the best ever, caused quite a stir in the cellar.
The new Cabernet franc vineyard produced its second crop that has definitely added exciting blending options in the cellar.
Our Petit verdot arguably celebrates its best vintage to date.
White Wines
Our 2005 Sauvignon Blanc shows promising potential although still quite closed due to the reductive style of winemaking requiring 8 to 12 months to reach its peak. This is substantiated by the recent accolade by Wine Spectator (US), rating the Simonsig Sauvignon Blanc 2004 as one of the Top 100 wines under $15 exactly one year after vintage!
Fat and fruity on the palate, our 2005 Chenin Blanc encompasses all the right elements of a top quality wine. A small crop and hot conditions produced Chenin grapes with high degrees of ripeness and raisined berries. Our Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2004 clinched a Best Value listing in the same issue of Wine Spectator.
The whole bunch pressing of Pinot noir, Chardonnay and Pinot meunier reached record levels to meet the phenomenal growth in the demand for Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut.
In summary, the 2005 harvest shows tremendous potential. Exactly 101 days after starting the vintage it was finally put to bed. Great was the sigh of relief, but even greater was the anticipation for next year’s return!
JOHAN MALAN
Simonsig Chief Winemaker
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Debbie Burden - SA Woman Winemaker of the Year
Debbie Burden might be blond and strikingly beautiful but there is nothing lightweight about this effervescent Simonsig winemaker. Her strong practical streak and winemaking philosophy of keeping things simple and true to their origin assisted her in winning the title of South Africa's Woman Winemaker of the Year 2005.
"One should not mess too much with what Mother Nature has in mind," says Debbie who impressed the judging panel of connoisseurs and female pioneers of the wine industry with her Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2003.
Unperturbed that the wine industry may still be a fairly chauvinistic playground, Debbie embraces in true feisty form her all-male working environment as a neutral platform where only nature, hard work and perseverance have an influence on the quality of the wine.
Albeit a feminine rosé or a more muscular Shiraz, the quality of the wine should not be overshadowed by its craftsman. Wine lovers should buy wines that suit their specific tastes, and for this reason only. Fortunately Simonsig appeals to the connoisseur and novice alike with a wide range of formidable red and white wines to suit every palate," said Debbie who has been with the legendary Malan family since 1999.
After qualifying with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSc Agric) specialising in Oenology from the University of Stellenbosch, she cut her winemaking teeth at Hazendal Estate (1999 harvest) before joining Simonsig, where she works in close partnership with acclaimed winemaker Johan Malan.
"A combination of destiny and good judgement brought me to the wine business and ultimately to Simonsig. For me winemaking is not a job, but simply a passion put into practice," she added.
A talented winemaker in her own right, Debbie has a clear idea about the wine that she likes to produce and the wine she prefers to enjoy.
"My favourite drinking wine is Shiraz, no wonder I'm so happy where I am at the moment," says Debbie, who along with her Simonsig peers (Chief Winemaker/ Owner Johan Malan) received top honours for the Merindol Syrah 2001, crowned South Africa's top Shiraz at the inaugural WINE Magazine TOPS at SPAR Shiraz Challenge 2004.
The wine she most enjoys making is Simonsig's notable Cape Blend, Frans Malan Reserve, for its challenging and unpredictable nature and the adrenaline rush it evokes when it comes down to the blending of the different cultivars. "It's like trying your culinary hand at a new gourmet dish. You have all the ingredients, you know the basic guidelines but the proof lies in the final result. One of the greatest rewards in my profession is when that recipe turns out to be a masterpiece," she explained.
She also believes that winemaking is all about balance - having the right amount of skin contact during fermentation to extract flavour and colour without getting too much tannin; leaving the wine to age in barrels for the optimal length of time to soften the tannins and adding the flavour of oak without overpowering the delicate flavours of the fruit.
Debbie is certainly no material girl and finds her role models in those legends of the wine industry who, although they continually harvest numerous prestigious awards don't take themselves too seriously and most importantly, wine lovers who treasure the actual pleasures of wine drinking.
The Woman Winemaker of the Year Award aims to raise awareness for the new generation of young, upcoming but unsung female winemakers, giving them confidence to assume a more visible role outside the confines of the cellar.
This year 26 winemakers entered this competition with a shortlist of six semi-finalists.
