In the News
Now the second-most planted red grape variety on Waterkloof, after our inimitable Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon is going from strength-to-strength on this ocean-facing, regenerative farm as you can see from this quick clip (link here to Youtube) with our super-stoked winemaker Nadia Langenegger, because you read it right our Circumstance Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 has only just gone and landed itself a rare and coveted GOLD 95/100 from the world’s largest and most competitive wine competition – THE DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS.
The Decanter GOLD 2022 vintage will not be released widely until early 2026, but to celebrate, we will be offering a pre-release of a limited quantity in the UK and to our Waterkloof Wine Club members.
Joining The Waterkloof Wine Club is free and can be done so by clicking here, but hurry, the limited pre-release offer will be sent out to Wine Club Members only this coming 25 June 2025, so don’t miss out!
To source some in the UK please click here .
WHAT MADE 2022 SO SPECIAL FOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON ON WATERKLOOF?
2022 was a lovely, cooler growing season with Cabernet picked late. The only significant challenge was a lack of rain. Waterkloof, in spite of its name, has the lowest rainfall in Stellenbosch alongside its adjacent neighbours on The Schapenberg.
Thankfully, learning from the drought years of 2017,18 & 19 Christiaan Loots and his team had already implemented a minimal tilling approach to try and build up the natural carbon percentage in the soil. They had also started putting chipped plant cuttings down in between the vines, over which they would spray earthworm teas which helped break the plant material down into a carbon source. The legume and wild oats cover crop were rolled flat with the aim of preserving the carbon in the soil and increasing the water holding capacity. Regenerative farming initiatives clearly paid-off in 2022, especially for the late ripening varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre.
Classic, pencil-shaving aromatics. Elegance, finesse with a great deal of length. Truly fine, cool climate cabernet.
To view all the results from THE DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS click here