Origin

The grapes for this wine originate from Tokara’s properties in two different regions; namely Stellenbosch and Elgin, as well as from bought in fruit from around Stellenbosch.

Cropping & Harvesting

The vineyards crop at around 6 t/ha. The grapes were picked at optimal ripeness with sugars between 20 and 23 degrees brix and acidities ranging from 6 to 8 g/l.

Winemaking

The grapes were de-stemmed, crushed and pressed to stainless steel tanks for overnight settling, after which the juice was racked and run to barrel with a certain percentage of lees added back. Approximately 30% of the wine fermented in stainless steel and the rest in 228L French oak barrels 5% being new barrels. The wine spent on average 8 months in barrel ageing on the gross lees with regular lees stirring. There was no malolactic fermentation allowed on this wine. The wine was bottled in November 2016 after stabilisation and filtration. 113 000 bottles were produced.

Tasting Notes

The wine displays a stunning vibrant straw colour. Aromas of lime zest and orange blossom spring from the glass with underlying notes of fresh brioche and a hint of toasted almonds. The entry on the palate is vibrant with fresh pineapple, grapefruit and lime zest notes. The mid-palate has a creamy rounded texture, yet the wine finishes bone dry with an aftertaste of toasted almonds lingering for a while..

Food Pairing

A perfect pairing with fish and chicken dishes or served as an aperitif..

Tokara is the embodiment of GT Ferreira’s philosophy that good wine, good food and good art go together to make a good lifestyle. The magnificent private commission of installation art by Marco Cianfanelli, The Mind’s Vine, encapsulates the narrative of the creation of TOKARA and reflects our origins as a superlative wine growing environment. It engraves the history of TOKARA into the experience of every visitor to this breath-taking estate. At the centre of the Cape Winelands lies the Simonsberg mountain, a fynbos-rich massif, home to exceptional vineyards since the 17th century. It’s on the southern slopes, with unrivalled views over False Bay to Table Mountain, that you will find TOKARA’s home vineyards and olive groves.

Vineyards

Situated 50km to the east of Table Mountain, the TOKARA “home farm” is rested on the Simonsberg side of the Banghoek Valley, at elevations of between 350m and 550m. Soil profiles are of weathered sandstone and decomposed granite, the combination lendingstructure, perfume and longevity to our wines. Our Highlands vineyard lies to the south of Stellenbosch in Elgin, a cool-climate area atop Sir Lowry’s Pass. Soils are predominantly Table Mountain sandstone imparting an ethereal scent to our Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Background

In 1994 GT Ferreira purchased the Tokara farm for residential purposes. But that was until the wine-making potential of this land was discovered. The cool air makes for great wine and soon classic varietals were planted along the slopes of the Helshoogte Pass.From the estate, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of Idas Valley, False Bay and the Simonsberg Mountains. Three different farms in Stellenbosch, Elgin and Hemel-and-Arde valley supply the Tokara winery. The Highlands vineyard in Elgin is surrounded by Fynbos and near the coast. Due to it being cooler in Elgin, the Highlands Sauvignon Blanc ripens six weeks later than the Tokara Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc vineyards. The Tokara Premium Wine Range includes Whites such as the Reserve Collection Walker Bay Chardonnay, Reserve Collection Noble Late Harvest, Walker Bay Sauvignon Blanc, White (Semillon), Elgin Sauvignon Blanc and Stellenbosch Chardonnay. The Red is called Red (A Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot blend).