Kloovenburg launches flagship 2009 Eight Feet red blend

Riebeek Kasteel winery, Kloovenburg Wine and Olive Estate, has released their new flagship red blend, the Eight Feet. Owned by the Du Toit family, winemaker Pieter du Toit explains that this is a very personal wine for him and his family as it originally involved every member, including his four young sons.

“My boys were always playing around the cellar and the vineyards and loved to follow me around and watch me work. So, in 2003 I thought it would be a nice thing to get them involved – a good opportunity for some father-son bonding – so I let them pick some grapes, stomp them themselves in a couple of barrels and we made some wine! My wife suggested calling it ‘Eight Feet’ to remind us all of that happy family time we had together.”

Because the wine was such a special one for the Du Toit family, it was the first one Pieter thought of when he was looking for a name for his new flagship wine in 2006. This time there was no foot-stomping involved! Instead, he took ten of the best barrels of wine in the cellar to make his blend and the new Eight Feet was launched.

“The wine will always be a blend”, he explains, “and the blend will change from year to year, but it will always be a combination of the absolute best we can offer.”

The 2009 Eight Feet is 80% shiraz and 20% cabernet sauvignon, has been aged in 30% new French barrels and is packed with dense black-berried fruit with elegant tannins and well-integrated smoky oak.

Nearly a decade after his sons first stomped their own grapes, Pieter is finally able to extend “father-son bonding” to include sharing a glass of Eight Feet with his oldest son, now aged 19. He recalls drinking a slightly chilled bottle on Christmas Day with a fantastic spiced Gammon, and also suggests it as a good partner for veal.

“But whatever food you drink it with, you must make sure you share it with good friends or family”, he says. “Because that is what’s important – this wine was made with love and should be enjoyed with those you love.”

The new 2009 Kloovenburg Eight Feet is available from the cellar door at R132.00. Kloovenburg is open for wine tastings, cellar tours and sales every Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 16h30, as well as on Saturdays from 09h00 to 14h00. The new Kloovenburg Pastorie Tasting Centre is open on Sundays from 11h00 – 14h00.

For further information or group bookings, contact Kloovenburg on (022) 448 1635, or send an email to info@kloovenburg.com, or visit www.kloovenburg.com.

ENDS