GlenWood Vineyards in the Robertsvlei Valley
GlenWood Vineyards is located around eight kilometres outside Franschhoek in the secluded Robertsvlei Valley. The small mountain valley is surrounded by the Franschhoek Mountains and extensive areas of indigenous fynbos. The farm was established in 1984 and covers around 52 hectares. Its sheltered location gives it a distinctive character within the Franschhoek wine landscape.
Owner Alastair Wood acquired what was then a largely undeveloped property after soil studies confirmed its suitability for high-quality viticulture. Young viticulture specialist DP Burger joined in the early 1990s and was involved in establishing the vineyards from the beginning. Today he is General Manager and Cellar Master. Winemaker Natasha Pretorius works with him on the estate's wines.
The varied soils of the Robertsvlei Valley were formed in part by former courses of the Berg River. Before the vineyards were planted, the sites were mapped and suitable grape varieties and rootstocks selected. Chardonnay is documented on well-drained Clovelly and Avalon soils, among others. Slow ripening and relatively small berries help concentrate fruit and acidity.
Chardonnay is GlenWood's most important grape variety and particularly shapes the identity of the estate. The range extends from a fresh, unoaked Chardonnay to the Vigneron's Selection and Grand Duc Chardonnay. For Grand Duc, the must is fermented with natural yeasts in French oak and then aged for an extended period on the lees. This produces powerful, creamy wines with ripe fruit, citrus notes and pronounced structure.
Alongside Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Merlot and Syrah also play important roles. The Merlot is fermented in small open fermenters and then matured in used French oak barrels. For Grand Duc Syrah, selected grapes are partly fermented as whole bunches and then aged for an extended period in wood. The Grand Duc line represents the top of the current range and includes Chardonnay, Sémillon, Syrah and the sweet Noblesse.
GlenWood deliberately focuses on a compact range. Alongside the Grand Duc line, there is the Vigneron's Selection with Chardonnay and Shiraz and the GlenWood Range with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Merlot. The different ranges show the same site in different maturation styles, from fresh, immediately approachable wines to longer-aged barrel wines.
A large part of the farm is reserved for natural vegetation. GlenWood protects fynbos and habitats for native wildlife and has been recognised as a WWF Conservation Champion. The estate also declares all of its current wines fully vegan. At Vin Africa you will find in GlenWood a small Franschhoek producer whose particular strength lies in Chardonnay and the characterful wines of the Robertsvlei Valley.