Exploration Case | Mixed Case

Proefkonyn, meaning Guinea Pig, is a Verdelho from Franco Lourens, it is his "playground" for experimenting with different varieties and processes. He emphasises that he's not trying to reinvent Verdelho but is simply having fun making it, and that consumers shouldn't expect a wine similar to the rest of the Lourens Family Wines range. Verdelho is known for its resilience to heat and drought and its natural acidity and low pH.

The wine was fermented spontaneously in two older, neutral 500L barrels and matured on its fine lees for 10 months. It was bottled unfined and with only coarse filtration. On the palate, it presents a profile of yellow fruits with a clean, energetic character that might be reminiscent of a Chenin Blanc.

Carignan

The Follow Your Dreams Carignan 2025 is the result of significant effort invested into the red wine program, designed to highlight the variety's pure fruit and the unique structure offered by Paardeberg's terroir. The grapes are 100% whole-bunch fermented to maximize freshness and complexity. The wine is then aged for 11 months exclusively in a concrete tank (labeled as 100% CONCRETE), a practice that preserves its pure, rustic character and ensures the finished wine is vibrant and full of personality.

"From the Paardeberg. Fermented 100% whole-bunch and matured for 11 months in concrete. The nose shows red and black berries, a faint playdough note, herbs and spice. The palate is vinous and energetic, with snappy acidity and rustic, slightly coarse tannins – a wine full of personality." - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za

Tin Soldier continues to evolve through subtle refinements rather than dramatic changes. The 2025 vintage is particularly expressive, showing notes of blood orange peel, ripe citrus and stone fruit alongside a gentle grip and refreshing acidity. Perfumed and full of personality, the wine balances texture with freshness in a way that has become a hallmark of the style. Distinctive and occasionally controversial, Tin Soldier remains one of the Cape’s most original white wines.

“From Swartland Semillon Gris, half the grapes spending approximately a week on skins. The nose is particularly expressive with notes of nectarine, orange peel, purple grape soda and a subtle potpourri nuance. The palate shows impressive fruit concentration and a creamy texture, balanced by well-integrated acidity. Some gentle phenolic grip lends shape and persistence to an otherwise juicy, rounded wine of considerable charm. 95/100”

Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za

Single Vineyard and Certified Heritage Vineyard (100% Pinotage)
W.O. Stellenbosch
Rustenhof Farm (Firgrove/Lower Helderberg) - P. Bredell Planted: 1976
Clone unknown, interesting DNA here. 101-14 rootstock Decomposed Granite. High in silica. Sandy/Well drained.

Christian Eedes, Winemag
“Grapes from a vineyard planted in 1976. Vinification as for the Cinsault. Top notes of rose, potpourri and fynbos before plum and black cherry on the nose. The palate is light-bodied with mouth-watering acidity, and firm but fine tannins which lend a pleasant, black-chocolate-like bitterness to the finish. 94/100.”

Domaine de la Grosse Pierre is located on the granite slopes of the Chiroubles cru, the highest in Beaujolais. The 'La Grosse Pierre' cuvée is often produced from older vines on the eponymous parcel. Winemaking typically involves manual harvesting, whole bunch fermentation, and aging in concrete tanks with minimal sulfur intervention, reflecting a move towards natural winemaking practices under the current generation.

This wine presents aromatic characteristics of red fruit and delicate floral hints. The palate offers a light body and a juicy texture, accompanied by noticeable acidity and refined tannins, with a clean finish.

VARIETY
Nebbiolo

VINEYARD
Location: La Morra, Santa Maria Bricco San Biagio, Plot 15, Sub-plots 305, 345, 429, 306, 68 Characteristics: 200 meters above sea level, eastern exposure, 2.8 x 0.9 meters spacing, 4,000 vines/hectare density, Guyot upward-trained vertical-trellised training system.

Age: 15 years

Size: 2 hectares

HARVESTING PERIOD - First 10 days of October

VINIFICATION
Selection of grape clusters in the vineyard during the harvest, alcoholic fermentation with maceration for around 15 days, followed by malolactic fermentation.

MATURING
Ageing in different size oak barrels for a year, one year and a half. Bottling in the autumn.

TASTING NOTE
A typical Nebbiolo, with a ruby-red color, a beautiful bouquet of violets and red fruits, with pleasant tannins which recalls the earth of the Langhe.