Draaiboek means ‘script’ in Afrikaans. A script is a story come to life, given meaning through the character’s performance and words spoken. In our books, every wine comes bottled with its very own script. An unedited narrative drafted by years spent in the vineyard, sculpted by changing seasons and nurtured by caring hands.
The result is a tale that captivates each drinker on a unique adventure into one’s inner imagination. A fantastical land where life is simple and possibilities are endless. It also stirs memories of past travels, moments shared with friends and good food.
It was with exactly this honest intention to express one’s creativity that a group of friends came together to craft Draaiboek Wines. After meeting at Stellenbosch University, everyone eventually headed out to write their own stories. Yet, despite different borders and time zones, they always checked in with every changing chapter of their lives.
Now, after many years of friendship, the characters have come together once again to produce Draaiboek Wines. Born out of a love for wine and the stories that it tells, Draaiboek Wines invite you to approach each wine like the blank pages of a book yet unwritten. What story will you tell?
Our Story
Draaiboek means ‘script’ in Afrikaans. A script is a story come to life, given meaning through the character’s performance and words spoken. In our books, every wine comes bottled with its very own script. An unedited narrative drafted by years spent in the vineyard, sculpted by changing seasons and nurtured by caring hands.
The result is a tale that captivates each drinker on a unique adventure into one’s inner imagination. A fantastical land where life is simple and possibilities are endless. It also stirs memories of past travels, moments shared with friends and good food.
It was with exactly this honest intention to express one’s creativity that a group of friends came together to craft Draaiboek Wines. After meeting at Stellenbosch University, everyone eventually headed out to write their own stories. Yet, despite different borders and time zones, they always checked in with every changing chapter of their lives.
Now, after many years of friendship, the characters have come together once again to produce Draaiboek Wines. Born out of a love for wine and the stories that it tells, Draaiboek Wines invite you to approach each wine like the blank pages of a book yet unwritten. What story will you tell?
Our Vineyard
Our grapes are sourced from the smallest appellation within the Walker Bay Wine District in South Africa, the Hemel en Aarde Ridge, situated 13km up the winding R320 from the seaside town Hermanus, renowned for its land-based whale watching.
The Hemel-en-Aarde, meaning Heaven and Earth in Afrikaans, is divided into three wards: Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Upper Valley and Ridge. Compared to the other Hemel-en-Aarde appellations, the grapes typically ripen later on the ridge and, although furthest from the sea, still experience the benefits of a cool maritime climate with the most significant diurnal temperature variation in the three wards.
The vineyards are North-East facing, 300m altitude and the soil is predominantly Bokkeveld-shale with high clay content. The region receives high rainfall (750mm 10-year average), and most vineyards can be dry-farmed.
At Draaiboek wines, some of our favourite Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs are produced on neighbouring wine farms, and we are thrilled to work with these highly sought-after grapes.
2021
A Draaiboek Wines Production
Onskuld Chardonnay
Onskuld, meaning innocence in Afrikaans, invites you to savour the simple joy that Chardonnay brings. The 2021 Onskuld shows freshness and elegance that reflects the unique terroir of the Hemel & Aarde Ridge. Now on its third vintage, the Chardonnay allows fresh notes of citrus fruit to shine while perfectly balanced by its minerality and hints of nutmeg.
Viticulture: The Hemel & Aarde Ridge is the smallest appellation in the Walker Bay wine region. Our grapes are grown in a single 11-year-old North-East facing trellised vineyard, found at 300m above sea level in clay-rich Bokkeveld shale
Winemaking: We follow a philosophy of minimal intervention, allowing the terroir to speak for itself.
The grapes were harvested by hand on 5 March 2021 and whole bunch pressed. It was fermented in French oak barrels, 30% of which were new, and matured on fine lees for 11 months.
Only the best barrels where bottled.
Tasting Notes: Light straw-yellow hue characteristic of an oaked Chardonnay. Fresh aromas of citrus fruit – lemon, lime and grapefruit – with a subtle hint of toasted brioche, fennel and nutmeg.
The 30% new oak builds the balance in the wine and supplies a gentle texture to the mid-palate.
Ageing potential: The wine is ready to enjoy on release but will mature well for a further 8 to 10 years.
2021
A Draaiboek Wines Production
Waagmoed Pinot Noir
The second chapter of the Draaiboek Wines story is Waagmoed, which means daring in Afrikaans. It tells the tale of bravery in crafting a Pinot Noir to capture the essence of the beautiful Hemel en Aarde Ridge. The 2021 Pinot Noir is a wine of depth and charm that offers delicacy and gracious elegance. The wine is instantly accessible on release and offers excellent drinking pleasure, but it will develop and mature very well for 3 to 5 years after release.
Viticulture: This perfumed Pinot Noir is made from grapes grown in a north-east facing single vineyard in Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. The 11-year-old vines are grown in Bokkeveld shale with a high proportion of clay, around 300m above sea level. Due to a cool, wet summer, the harvest was around ten days later than usual, following an even budding and slow but regular ripening.
Winemaking: We believe in minimum intervention during the vinification process. The fruit selection was a crucial part due to the vintage conditions. Bunches were sorted twice, first in the vineyard during the picking process and then again in the cellar. Natural fermentation was followed by ten months on its lees in 228-litre Burgundy barrels, 25% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered and may display some harmless sedimentation over time.
Only the best barrels were bottled.
Tasting Notes: Alluringly coy delicacy with a floral nuance on the bright cherry, raspberry and strawberry aromatics. Touch of spice and forest floor too. The palate is initially succulent and lively with the fresh berry flavours but then it broadens and deepens with gentle spice, loam and crunchy autumn leaf apparent. It’s fey and delicate but with wonderful fruit purity, seamless silky tannin and a sinuous suppleness and pliability that is so seductive yet simultaneously powerful and gracefully muscular.
Our Vineyard
Our grapes are sourced from the smallest appellation within the Walker Bay Wine District in South Africa, the Hemel en Aarde Ridge, situated 13km up the winding R320 from the seaside town Hermanus, renowned for its land-based whale watching.
The Hemel-en-Aarde, meaning Heaven and Earth in Afrikaans, is divided into three wards: Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Upper Valley and Ridge. Compared to the other Hemel-en-Aarde appellations, the grapes typically ripen later on the ridge and, although furthest from the sea, still experience the benefits of a cool maritime climate with the most significant diurnal temperature variation in the three wards.
The vineyards are North-East facing, 300m altitude and the soil is predominantly Bokkeveld-shale with high clay content. The region receives high rainfall (750mm 10-year average), and most vineyards can be dry-farmed.
At Draaiboek wines, some of our favourite Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs are produced on neighbouring wine farms, and we are thrilled to work with these highly sought-after grapes.
2021
A Draaiboek Wines Production
Onskuld Chardonnay
Onskuld, meaning innocence in Afrikaans, invites you to savour the simple joy that Chardonnay brings. The 2021 Onskuld shows freshness and elegance that reflects the unique terroir of the Hemel & Aarde Ridge. Now on its third vintage, the Chardonnay allows fresh notes of citrus fruit to shine while perfectly balanced by its minerality and hints of nutmeg.
Viticulture: The Hemel & Aarde Ridge is the smallest appellation in the Walker Bay wine region. Our grapes are grown in a single 11-year-old North-East facing trellised vineyard, found at 300m above sea level in clay-rich Bokkeveld shale
Winemaking: We follow a philosophy of minimal intervention, allowing the terroir to speak for itself.
The grapes were harvested by hand on 5 March 2021 and whole bunch pressed. It was fermented in French oak barrels, 30% of which were new, and matured on fine lees for 11 months.
Only the best barrels where bottled.
Tasting Notes: Light straw-yellow hue characteristic of an oaked Chardonnay. Fresh aromas of citrus fruit – lemon, lime and grapefruit – with a subtle hint of toasted brioche, fennel and nutmeg.
The 30% new oak builds the balance in the wine and supplies a gentle texture to the mid-palate.
Ageing potential: The wine is ready to enjoy on release but will mature well for a further 8 to 10 years.
2021
A Draaiboek Wines Production
Waagmoed Pinot Noir
The second chapter of the Draaiboek Wines story is Waagmoed, which means daring in Afrikaans. It tells the tale of bravery in crafting a Pinot Noir to capture the essence of the beautiful Hemel en Aarde Ridge. The 2021 Pinot Noir is a wine of depth and charm that offers delicacy and gracious elegance. The wine is instantly accessible on release and offers excellent drinking pleasure, but it will develop and mature very well for 3 to 5 years after release.
Viticulture: This perfumed Pinot Noir is made from grapes grown in a north-east facing single vineyard in Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. The 11-year-old vines are grown in Bokkeveld shale with a high proportion of clay, around 300m above sea level. Due to a cool, wet summer, the harvest was around ten days later than usual, following an even budding and slow but regular ripening.
Winemaking: We believe in minimum intervention during the vinification process. The fruit selection was a crucial part due to the vintage conditions. Bunches were sorted twice, first in the vineyard during the picking process and then again in the cellar. Natural fermentation was followed by ten months on its lees in 228-litre Burgundy barrels, 25% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered and may display some harmless sedimentation over time.
Only the best barrels were bottled.
Tasting Notes: Alluringly coy delicacy with a floral nuance on the bright cherry, raspberry and strawberry aromatics. Touch of spice and forest floor too. The palate is initially succulent and lively with the fresh berry flavours but then it broadens and deepens with gentle spice, loam and crunchy autumn leaf apparent. It’s fey and delicate but with wonderful fruit purity, seamless silky tannin and a sinuous suppleness and pliability that is so seductive yet simultaneously powerful and gracefully muscular.
