Bernhard’s Grandfather, Koos Bredell, in today’s Féniks vineyard circa 1976

We are very excited to announce that the new vintage 2022 releases from Scions of Sinai are ready to release.

Scions of Sinai wines mainly focus on curating uniquely located vineyards of the Lower Helderberg region (southeast of Stellenbosch) around a granite hill colloquially known as “Sinai Hill” – pure wines from a few specially selected dry farmed bushvine vineyards on decomposed granite. Bernard favours a chemical-free approach in the vineyards and the winery.

Bernhard is quickly becoming one of the go-to producers of modern Stellenbosch wines.

WO Stellenbosch

Certified Heritage Vineyard (CHV) ‘Granietsteen’ is a small Single Vineyard of Old Vine Chenin Blanc planted in 1978 on decomposed granite soils, overlooking the False Bay ocean. Old bush vine farming methods, contour planting between fynbos corridors on the southern slope and exposure to maritime winds lends a unique character to this vineyard. Hand picked at the break of dawn and handled softly in the winery with partial whole bunch pressing. Slow spontaneous fermentation in concrete tank and kept on its fine lees for 9-10 months.

Christian Eedes, Winemag: “Expressive and exotic aromatics – a top note of jasmine before naartjie, yellow peach and mango. The palate has good fruit concentration and flavour intensity with moderate acidity and a pleasantly bitter finish – this has a succulence, even an opulence about it despite a modest alcohol of 12.35%. 94/100.”

WO Klein Karoo

‘Gramadoelas’ is a Single Vineyard of Grenache blanc from a continental arid climate Karoo terroir at 450m above sea level. A small area far to the eastern border of the Cape, with schist and shale soils. Grapes are destemmed and cold soaked on skins for 20 hours before pressing and natural fermentation in older oak barrels. Kept ageing on its fine lees in barrel for 9 months before bottling. Partial bottonage. A precise and perfumed wine with lovely salinity and fine texture.

Christian Eedes (Winemag): “This vintage is quite neutral, characterised more by its acidity and texture than intensity of aroma or flavour. A hint of flinty reduction before hints of pear, peach, talcum powder and floral perfume while the palate is light, fresh and pithy. Alc: 12.43%. 91/100“

WO Coastal Region

Roughly a third each of Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. Named after Don Quixote’s horse, “Rocinante” means “the lead horse”. While to everyone else, Rocinante was an old nag, to Don Quixote he was a noble steed. Bernard feels the same way about Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne.

Christian Eedes (Winemag): “Top notes of potpourri and herbs before citrus, peach and a little bee’s wax. Good depth of fruit, punchy acidity and an intensely savoury finish. Nicely textured with layers of flavour, this has plenty of interest. Alc: 12.71%. 93/100.”

WO Stellenbosch

‘Heldervallei’ is a pure Single Vineyard Cinsault that lies adjacent to the ‘Granietsteen’ Old Vine Chenin Blanc on Sinai Hill from dry farmed bush vines planted in 1988. A rare Cinsault vineyard that meets unique influences from the close ocean proximity, while rooted in poor decomposed granite. Small canopy growth, Partial whole cluster fermentations and 11 months ageing in older barrels on its fine lees. Dried Fynbos opens to blue-fruit purity, structured tannin grip for a Cinsault.

Christian Eedes (Winemag): “Abundantly perfumed nose with notes of black cherry, herbs and rose plus some earthiness while the palate has a dense core of fruit, bright acidity and firm but not astringent tannins. This has plenty of verve and ends wonderfully dry. Alc: 12.94%. 93/100.”

WO Stellenbosch

From a one-of-a-kind Certified Heritage Vineyard Pinotage block. A Single Vineyard planted to dry land bush vines in 1976 on soils that are uniquely silica rich decomposed granite that is sandy textured and well drained at 3,5km from the ocean. ‘Féniks’ undergoes a soft 60% whole bunch fermentation with the rest as whole berries under a submerged cap (no punchdowns). Aged on the fine lees in older large barrels for 11 months. Small berries packing plenty of concentration from growing conditions. A Pinotage with the grace of a Pinot Noir, but the power of a Syrah.

Christian Eedes (Winemag): “Heady aromatics of cherry, plum, fynbos and floral perfume on the nose before a palate that has profuse fruit, bright acidity and fine tannins. Juicy and vibrant on entry but ends dry. Alc: 12.7%. 92/100.”

WO Stellenbosch

Swanesang is a pure expression from one of the last traditionally bushvine Syrah vineyards in Stellen- bosch. A mere 0.8 ha single vineyard planted in 1996-1999 in the old ‘treinspoor’ method close to the ocean. Maritime winds and duplex granite derived soils play a key role in this vineyards character. Mostly whole cluster stem inclusion during a slow submerged cap fermentation and further ageing on its fine lees in large format concrete and older barrels for 11 months. Swanesang holds a distinctively complex, weightless intensity, and captivating authenticity as a coastal Stellenbosch Syrah.

Christian Eedes (Winemag): “Quite pronounced tar-like reduction on the nose before red and blackberries, violets and pepper. The palate has excellent fruit purity, lively acidity and powdery tannins. Direct without being too linear, refined and harmonious. But for that reduction, this might have rated even higher…95/100.”