“This is categorically the best bottle-fermented sparkling wine I’ve ever drunk from South Africa”
— Christian Eedes, Wine Magazine
It is with an immense amount of pleasure that we welcome Ann and her winemaker, Pieter Ferreira to the Ex Animo Wine Co. portfolio. Pieter is chairman of the Cap Classique Producers Association and both he and Ann have always been passionate about bubbly. Pieter has been instrumental at Graham Beck for decades and his dedication and craftsmanship has seen him reap countless high profile awards both locally and abroad.
The first vintage of Pieter Ferreira Cap Classique was released in 2019.
The current vintage is the Blanc de Blancs 2015. The maiden vintage Pieter Ferreira Rosé 2013 was released in early 2020.
Pieter Ferreira Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs is aiming to show the very best expression of Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir for the Rosé. Both the Blanc de Blancs and Rosé spend a minimum of 6 years on the lees before disgorgement (this is 6 times the required minimum).
A classic Pinot Noir & Chardonnay blend – Pieter Ferreira Extra Brut 2016 is due to be released soon (watch this space). This Extra Brut had a slightly shorter lees period (between 3 and 4 years) before it is disgorged.
Both Ann and Pieter have worked tirelessly in the South African wine industry and are among its most respected members. Ex Animo is extremely proud to be able to work with them both.
“It is set to become something of benchmark in the category“
Michael Fridjhon – Business Day, 15 May 2019
“Without doubt, it’s the best Cap Classique I’ve tasted to date”
Angela Lloyd – Wine Writer, 1 January 2021
“Both the Ferreiras are at the top of the sparkling pyramid”
Madeleine Stenwreth MW – 8 January 2021
Platter’s Wine Guide Cap Classique of the Year 2020
Platter’s Wine Guide Newcomer Winery of the Year 2020
The wines
Pieter Ferreira Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2015
VINEYARD & SOILS: The Chardonnay grapes were selected from various vineyard sites in the Robertson region, an area renowned for having the highest limestone content of any vineyard soils in the Cape Winelands. These sites comprise soils of weathered shale with rich calcerous deposits, the limestone allowing an ideal foundation for growing grapes with the acidic backbone and chemical composition required for the making of Cap Classique base wine.
WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY/VINIFICATION & WINEMAKER’S COMMENTS: The Cape Winelands 2015 vintage is a brilliant vintage due to mild, temperate conditions during the growing season which allowed for even-ripening of grapes. This results are seen in this Blanc de Blancs release which is led by a bright, fresh acidity and complete balance, offering a nuance of ripe citrus fruit and a classic restrained elegance elevated with an energetic mousse. The Chardonnay was bunch-selected and hand-picked. After whole-bunch pressing of grapes with the separation of cuvée from the taille, the clear juice was mainly fermented in stainless steel with a slight portion fermented in traditional barrels from Tonnellerie Artisanale de Champagne (Pièce Champenoise). Once the primary fermentation was complete, the wine was prepared for secondary fermentation in the bottle. Here the wine was left on the lees for 72 months before the sediment was removed in the traditional process of remuage and dégorgement. The bottles were then corked and laid down for a further six months cork maturation.
TASTING NOTES: An evocative light straw colour with an eye- catching flirtatious mousse. The nose shows vivacious lemon and lime aromas, with a maritime layer of oyster-shell. On the palate the wine has delicate yeasty tones layered with green lime zest, citrus and brioche, all enlivened with a firm, well integrated mousse and a persistent bead. Great vibrant mouth- feel with toasty notes, citrus, honey and tropical nuances ending in a bright long lingering finish.
Pieter Ferreira Rosé Brut 2013
VINEYARD AND SOILS: Pinot Noir grapes were selected from various sites in the Cape’s Elgin and the Slanghoek Valley regions, as the objective to make a terroir-driven Cap Classique. The intriguing combination on these sites consists of decomposed granite, Table Mountain Sandstone and weathered shales.
WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY & WINEMAKER’S COMMENTS: The 2013 vintage was a splendidly mild season with the Pinot Noir reaching beautiful ripeness levels. This maiden release Rosé offers harmonious balance exuding ripe fruit characters, an edge of perfume and restrained elegance. The parcels of Pinot Noir were hand-picked, each bunch undergoing a stringent selection process. Prior to pressing the whole bunches were subjected to a brief period of enzymatic colour extraction to draw a gorgeous natural hue from the red skins before pressing. The grapes were pressed, followed by the separation of the cuvée from the taille before the clear juice was fermented in stainless steel. After the first fermentation, the wine was prepared for secondary fermentation in the bottle. The wine was allowed to live on the lees for six years before the sediment was removed through the traditional process of remuage and dégorgement. The bottles were then corked and laid down for a further six months cork maturation.
TASTING NOTES: A refined, salmon colour with a fine beady mousse. Delicate yeasty tones, layered with red berry fruit such as cherries and raspberries. Fine and well-integrated mousse and a persistent bead. Great vibrant mouth-feel with creamy texture and layered long lingering finish.
Pieter Ferreira Cap Classique joins Ex Animo!
“This is categorically the best bottle-fermented sparkling wine I’ve ever drunk from South Africa”
— Christian Eedes, Wine Magazine
It is with an immense amount of pleasure that we welcome Ann and her winemaker, Pieter Ferreira to the Ex Animo Wine Co. portfolio. Pieter is chairman of the Cap Classique Producers Association and both he and Ann have always been passionate about bubbly. Pieter has been instrumental at Graham Beck for decades and his dedication and craftsmanship has seen him reap countless high profile awards both locally and abroad.
The first vintage of Pieter Ferreira Cap Classique was released in 2019.
The current vintage is the Blanc de Blancs 2015. The maiden vintage Pieter Ferreira Rosé 2013 was released in early 2020.
Pieter Ferreira Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs is aiming to show the very best expression of Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir for the Rosé. Both the Blanc de Blancs and Rosé spend a minimum of 6 years on the lees before disgorgement (this is 6 times the required minimum).
A classic Pinot Noir & Chardonnay blend – Pieter Ferreira Extra Brut 2016 is due to be released soon (watch this space). This Extra Brut had a slightly shorter lees period (between 3 and 4 years) before it is disgorged.
Both Ann and Pieter have worked tirelessly in the South African wine industry and are among its most respected members. Ex Animo is extremely proud to be able to work with them both.
“It is set to become something of benchmark in the category“
Michael Fridjhon – Business Day, 15 May 2019
“Without doubt, it’s the best Cap Classique I’ve tasted to date”
Angela Lloyd – Wine Writer, 1 January 2021
“Both the Ferreiras are at the top of the sparkling pyramid”
Madeleine Stenwreth MW – 8 January 2021
Platter’s Wine Guide Cap Classique of the Year 2020
Platter’s Wine Guide Newcomer Winery of the Year 2020
The wines
Pieter Ferreira Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2015
VINEYARD & SOILS: The Chardonnay grapes were selected from various vineyard sites in the Robertson region, an area renowned for having the highest limestone content of any vineyard soils in the Cape Winelands. These sites comprise soils of weathered shale with rich calcerous deposits, the limestone allowing an ideal foundation for growing grapes with the acidic backbone and chemical composition required for the making of Cap Classique base wine.
WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY/VINIFICATION & WINEMAKER’S COMMENTS: The Cape Winelands 2015 vintage is a brilliant vintage due to mild, temperate conditions during the growing season which allowed for even-ripening of grapes. This results are seen in this Blanc de Blancs release which is led by a bright, fresh acidity and complete balance, offering a nuance of ripe citrus fruit and a classic restrained elegance elevated with an energetic mousse. The Chardonnay was bunch-selected and hand-picked. After whole-bunch pressing of grapes with the separation of cuvée from the taille, the clear juice was mainly fermented in stainless steel with a slight portion fermented in traditional barrels from Tonnellerie Artisanale de Champagne (Pièce Champenoise). Once the primary fermentation was complete, the wine was prepared for secondary fermentation in the bottle. Here the wine was left on the lees for 72 months before the sediment was removed in the traditional process of remuage and dégorgement. The bottles were then corked and laid down for a further six months cork maturation.
TASTING NOTES: An evocative light straw colour with an eye- catching flirtatious mousse. The nose shows vivacious lemon and lime aromas, with a maritime layer of oyster-shell. On the palate the wine has delicate yeasty tones layered with green lime zest, citrus and brioche, all enlivened with a firm, well integrated mousse and a persistent bead. Great vibrant mouth- feel with toasty notes, citrus, honey and tropical nuances ending in a bright long lingering finish.
Pieter Ferreira Rosé Brut 2013
VINEYARD AND SOILS: Pinot Noir grapes were selected from various sites in the Cape’s Elgin and the Slanghoek Valley regions, as the objective to make a terroir-driven Cap Classique. The intriguing combination on these sites consists of decomposed granite, Table Mountain Sandstone and weathered shales.
WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY & WINEMAKER’S COMMENTS: The 2013 vintage was a splendidly mild season with the Pinot Noir reaching beautiful ripeness levels. This maiden release Rosé offers harmonious balance exuding ripe fruit characters, an edge of perfume and restrained elegance. The parcels of Pinot Noir were hand-picked, each bunch undergoing a stringent selection process. Prior to pressing the whole bunches were subjected to a brief period of enzymatic colour extraction to draw a gorgeous natural hue from the red skins before pressing. The grapes were pressed, followed by the separation of the cuvée from the taille before the clear juice was fermented in stainless steel. After the first fermentation, the wine was prepared for secondary fermentation in the bottle. The wine was allowed to live on the lees for six years before the sediment was removed through the traditional process of remuage and dégorgement. The bottles were then corked and laid down for a further six months cork maturation.
TASTING NOTES: A refined, salmon colour with a fine beady mousse. Delicate yeasty tones, layered with red berry fruit such as cherries and raspberries. Fine and well-integrated mousse and a persistent bead. Great vibrant mouth-feel with creamy texture and layered long lingering finish.
Please contact david@exanimo.co.za if you have any queries.