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Kanonkop

4/5See all 16 reviews

Kanonkop, meaning “cannon shot,” is a name rooted in local history: a cannon was fired to alert the population when a merchant ship arrived in port. The estate was founded in 1910 by the Sauer family, which produced several ministers for the Republic of South Africa. Johann and Paul Krige, the fourth generation of the family, now run the estate, still assisted by Beyers Truter, who has been in charge of winemaking since his arrival in 1985. It was around this time, in the midst of apartheid and while the country was in total economic and political isolation, that Kanonkop began to make a name for itself and prove to the world South Africa’s potential to produce quality wines.

Kanonkop’s red wines remain among the very best, with a level of finesse and aging potential that are virtually unmatched in the country. The vineyard is located at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountains, less than 10 km north of the town of Stellenbosch, on slopes rising to 120 m. It covers about 100 hectares planted with old vines (mostly 50 years old), exclusively red grape varieties, including, in order of importance, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Controlling yields and achieving optimal ripeness are the two primary focuses in the vineyard. In the cellar, the winery remains faithful to traditional old concrete tanks, in which the grapes are still foot-crushed, and prioritizes extended aging with judicious use of new oak. The impression conveyed by Kanonkop’s red wines is one of great elegance and consistently impeccable balance.

For more information, visit the website at Kanonkop

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