THE STORY
Named after South Africa’s most iconic bay, which frames much of the country’s premium winelands, False Bay Vineyards was borne out of a desire to make ‘real’ wine affordable.
Back in 1994, long before founding Waterkloof – his regenerative vineyard overlooking False Bay- Paul Boutinot came to the Western Cape to seek out and rescue grapes from old, balanced and under-appreciated vineyards. These treasures were otherwise destined to be lost in the large co-operative blends that were dominating South Africa’s wine industry back then.
Unusually for that time, Paul transformed those Cape gems into wines with a minimum of intervention: Wild yeast ferments, no acid additions…you know the drill. A familiar story to many ‘real wine’ lovers now, but back then he was swimming against the tide. Even today, making wine this way at the price-level is almost unheard of.
Today the ingredients remain the same for Waterkloof’s Cellar Master Nadia Barnard: Fantastic coastal fruit, old vines and wild yeast abound, with additions avoided.
THE WINES
Waterkloof’s talented Cellar Master, Nadia Langenegger, makes three distinct ranges from False Bay Vineyards.
WINDSWEPT SAUVIGNON BLANC
Coastal Vineyards
Sustainably Farmed
Hand Picked
Naturally Crafted
Slowly Matured
Vegan Wine
CRYSTALLINE CHARDONNAY
Coastal Vineyards
Sustainably Farmed
Hand Picked
Naturally Crafted
Wild Ferment
Unoaked
Vegan Wine
SLOW CHENIN BLANC
Coastal Vineyards
Sustainably Farmed
Old Vines
Naturally Crafted
Wild Ferment
Slowly Matured
Vegan Wine
WHOLE BUNCH CINSAULT/MOURVÈDRE ROSÉ
Coastal Vineyards
Sustainably Farmed
Hand Picked
Delicately Pressed
Naturally Crafted
Wild Ferment
Vegan Wine
OLD SCHOOL SYRAH
Coastal Vineyards
Sustainably Farmed
Hand Picked
Naturally Crafted
Wild Ferment
Cask Aged
Vegan Wine
BUSH VINE PINOTAGE
Coastal Bush Vine Vineyard
Sustainably Farmed
Hand Picked
Naturally Crafted
Wild Ferment
Cask Aged
Vegan Wine
THE LAST OF THE FIRST
The last pinotage vineyard remaining on the Schapenberg – the hillside chosen for the variety’s first commercial planting in 1941
A Registered Single Vineyard
Schapenberg (W.O Stellenbosch)
Regeneratively Farmed
Hand Picked
Naturally Crafted
Wild Ferment
Vegan Wine
ON BORROWED TIME
The vines’ yield is so small on this precipitous Bottelary Hills vineyard that their continued viability is questioned after each harvest.
They are ON BORROWED TIME.
A Single Vineyard
Helderberg (W.O. Stellenbosch)
Sustainably Farmed
Hand Picked
Naturally Crafted
Wild Ferment
Vegan Wine
THE EXCEPTION
That Proves The Rule
Something that emphasises the general truth of a statement by disagreeing with it.
THE RULE – Cinsault, specifically from old vines, is capable of perfumed, immensely appealing red wines. However, if seeking something profound, look elsewhere. Unless that is, one chances upon…
THE EXCEPTION – In 2024, out of the blue, these old vines’ grape-size and production-level plummeted. The resulting wine is unrecognisable from all that came before.
It is THE EXCEPTION THAT PROVES THE RULE.
A Single Vineyard
Helderberg & Bottelary (W.O. Stellenbosch)
Sustainably Farmed
Hand Picked
Naturally Crafted
Wild Ferment
Vegan Wine
Sauvignon Blanc
Celebrating the rebirth of traditional winemaking in South Africa
Coastal Vineyards:
Sustainably Farmed
WWF Biodiversity Champion Producer
Hand Picked Grapes
Delicately Pressed
Naturally Crafted
Vegan Wine
Chenin Blanc
Celebrating the rebirth of traditional winemaking in South Africa
Coastal Vineyards:
Sustainably Farmed
WWF Biodiversity Champion Producer
Hand Picked Grapes
Delicately Pressed
Naturally Crafted
Wild Ferment
Vegan Wine
Syrah
Celebrating the rebirth of traditional winemaking in South Africa
Coastal Vineyards:
Sustainably Farmed
WWF Biodiversity Champion Producer
Hand Picked Grapes
Delicately Pressed
Naturally Crafted
Wild Ferment
Vegan Wine
PEACOCK WILD FERMENT SAUVIGNON BLANC
Helderberg and Schapenberg vineyards:
The finest coastal sites of W.O. Stellenbosch
Sustainably Farmed
Hand Picked
Naturally Crafted
Wild Ferment
Vegan Wine
PEACOCK WILD FERMENT CHENIN BLANC
Helderberg and Schapenberg vineyards:
The finest coastal sites of W.O. Stellenbosch
Old Vines
Sustainably Farmed
Hand Picked
Naturally Crafted
Wild Ferment
Vegan Wine
PEACOCK WILD FERMENT CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Helderberg and Schapenberg vineyards:
The finest coastal sites of W.O. Stellenbosch
Sustainably Farmed
Hand Picked
Naturally Crafted
Wild Ferment in Open-Top Wooden Casks
Vegan Wine
PEACOCK WILD FERMENT MERLOT
Helderberg and Schapenberg vineyards:
The finest coastal sites of W.O. Stellenbosch
Sustainably Farmed
Hand Picked
Naturally Crafted
Wild Ferment in Open-Top Wooden Casks
Vegan Wine
