Origin

This is a blend of 98% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Semillon. The grapes originate from the Stellenbosch and Elgin regions.

Soils

The soils are Oakleaf formed from decomposed granite with colluvial sandstone. With a high fraction of gravel and friable granite.

Slopes

South and South west Aspects ranging from 360 to 540 meters above sea level.

Cropping & Harvesting

The vineyards crop at between 4 and 11t/ha and the grapes are harvested at various degrees of ripeness from 20.5 to 23 degrees balling, depending on acid, pH, flavour intensity and profile. All grapes are hand harvested.

Winemaking

The grapes are de-stemmed and crushed and pumped directly into our inert (oxygen free) press. Free-run and press juices were separated and settled overnight before being racked off the heavy lees and inoculated for fermentation with selected wine yeasts for fermentation at around 15 degrees Celsius in stainless steel tanks. 5% of the wine ferments in barrel. After fermentation the wine was blended, stabilised and bottled in August 2017. 188 000 bottles were produced.

Tasting Notes

The wine has a vibrant light straw colour with flecks of green on the rim. There is an abundance of quince, green apples greengage and lemongrass aromas on the nose. The wine enters the palate with concentrated flavours reminiscent of the nose. This wine finishes crisp and dry with slight a saline feel to it leaving one salivating for more.

Food Pairing

This wine is best drunk cold on a hot summer’s day on its own or it can be served with grilled chicken and fish, fresh oysters or even a light prawn curry.

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).