|
-WINERIES
-WestCorp
-Swartland
-Webersburg
-Leidersburg
-Simonsvlei
-Cape
Coastal Vintners
-WINES
-Jabulani
-Matuba
-Gôiya
-Serengeti
-Cape Collection
-Indalo
-Hercules Paragon
-Webersburg
-Leidersburg
-Rain Dance
WESTCORP
|
 Click
HERE to print this page (PDF format)
Olifants River Region, producer of
Gôiya &
Rain Dance wines
Located about 200 miles north of Cape Town in the
Olifants River
Region,
WestCorp is the countries northernmost winery. This region
follows the Atlantic coast and stretches from north to south along
the broad valley and banks of the Olifants (Elephants) River. In
the mid 1940’s, the area started to emerge as one of South
Africa’s most important wine regions and now accounts for more
than 17% of the countries total wine production. More importantly,
WestCorp has consistently provided some of the world’s best wine
values, which has made them one of South Africa’s most successful
exporters.
Their first cellar was established in 1947 by 18 shareholders, and
the first crush of 2,000 tons took place two years later. Today,
WestCorp has 240 co-op members and harvests more than 100,000 tons
of wine grapes annually, about the same volume as the state of
Washington, which is America’s second largest wine producer.
WestCorp’s total production is now more than seven million cases
annually, making them one of the largest wineries in the southern
hemisphere.
The Olifants River growing season is very dry with diurnal
temperature ranges (the difference between the daytime highs and
the nighttime lows) that are greater than many other wine
regions. The soils are well drained and are primarily sandy and
stony with a range of red clay loams. These conditions help the
grapes develop full, rich flavors while minimizing the need for
chemicals against insect pests and disease
control. Micro-irrigation, precise canopy management and early
morning hand harvesting protect the delicate fruit flavors
nurtured in their premium vineyards.
Long known as an innovative leader in vineyard management and
winemaking, WestCorp continues to be a southern hemisphere trend
setter. Their red wines are produced solely at Vredendal Cellars,
while the white wines are made at nearby Spruitdrift Cellars. This
provides their separate staffs of winemakers with an opportunity
to focus on a limited number of wines, vineyards and growers,
while insuring that the winery facilities are customized to their
needs. Both red and white wines are fermented and stored in
stainless steel, with small, selected lots of Chardonnay fermented
in oak barrels to add complexity and body to their Chardonnay
bottlings.
WestCorp’s latest initiatives include the use of state-of-the-art,
infrared technology to gauge the quality and characteristics of a
vineyard while the grapes are ripening. In addition, they are
working in collaboration with the Department of Viticulture and
Oenology at the University of Stellenbosch, conducting ground
breaking research into the DNA (chemical fingerprints) of grapes
and wine.
WestCorp entered the international arena in 1980, and now exports
more than two million cases of table wines to the U.S., the UK,
Canada, Holland, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Japan, Germany,
Russia, Israel, Grenada and Curacao. After two years of planning
and consumer research, their award winning Gôiya and Rain Dance
wines were launched in America in January 2005.
|
