PIWOSA Producer Profile: Vineyards End of the Road - A Journey

Most wineries are happy to make a profit and, ideally, leave a little more for the next generation than they have themselves. But Journey's End Vineyards has higher ideals. Under the leadership of Executive Director Rollo Gabb, it has invested a tremendous amount of effort and, yes, money into its vineyards, wineries and local community. As a result, it has become one of the most environmentally friendly and socially active businesses in the wine world. They want their business to be better in 20 years, but they also want their community and environment to be stronger.

Journey's End Vineyards

This is a large estate - about 140 hectares - but only 40 hectares are set aside for vineyards. "Even though it's beautiful vineyard land, I'm very interested in leaving large tracts exclusively for wildlife," Gabb says. "We want to see animals and birds on the farm." Caracal, Blue Crane and Mouse King visit the place regularly.

Officially, Journey's End Vineyards

This is Stellenbosch WO (Wine of Origin), but that's misleading: it's in Somerset West, some distance south-east of the heart of Stellenbosch, right at the foot of the Hottentots Holland mountain range that separates Stellenbosch and Elgin. It's also just 7 kilometers from the sea, right in the path of the Cape Doctor, the cooling wind that blows every afternoon.

This, together with the cooler eastern slopes and proximity to the mountains, has a big impact. Although there is plenty of sunshine, temperatures drop at night - mid-30s to 16 degrees by evening. Despite enviable views of vineyards and False Cove, this is not the place to enjoy a sunset on the terrace - at least not without a jacket.

This can be seen in the style of the wines. White wines show brightness and more pronounced acidity, while reds have more spicy, even herbaceous characters. They are certainly popular with sommeliers. "I'm very proud of what we're doing with Bordeaux varietals," says Gabb.

This may indeed be true of their wines. But when it comes to social development, this is definitely not the case. Journey's End Vineyards has partnered with a local village in Seer Lowry Pass for years, but really stepped up their assistance during the pandemic.

They created the Journey's End Foundation, which, among other things, helped fund a large assembly hall for a local school, created a support program for women suffering from gender-based violence, and provided more than 4 million meals (and the number is growing) through their network of soup kitchens.

This is a majestic legacy at every level.

It's become popular to call this venerable Bordeaux blend the wine of the wind that rages in the vineyard every afternoon, because it gives it a noticeable cool-climate characteristic. Underneath the sweet flavor of cassis and cream pudding lies a dense mineral flavor of almost European dark chocolate. Structured and elegant, this is a wine for long storage.

95 points

• Consume from 2025 to 2035 | Alcohol content 14.5%

Winemaker Mike Dawson describes this wine as the easiest to make - you don't need to get involved. This wine is from the "Covid vintage"; we were lucky they had just finished harvesting before quarantine was imposed, because it's a beautiful Cape Chardonnay. Firm peach and apricot flavors combine with a comforting layer of almond oil that wraps around a bright, taut, tense acidity.

93 points

• Consume from 2023 to 2030 | Alcohol content 13.5%

A trip to Spain awakened winemaking director Leon Esterhuizen to the prospect of carbonic maceration, and what works in Beaujolais also works wonderfully here. Gone are the unwanted bacon notes, and in come the red and black berries of summer, lavender and deli store spices. Drinks beautifully right now, but will be able to hold its own.

93 points

• Use from 2023 to 2028 | Alcohol content 14.5%

Cabernet Franc used to be used exclusively as a blending component, but the Journey's End team felt it had enough character to stand on its own two feet - and they're right. From this cool and windy estate, this vintage has typical Cabernet Franc herbaceous notes of oregano and black olives. Not a showy wine, but perfect with lamb with rosemary.

91 points

• Consume from 2023 to 2026 | Alcohol content 14%