Sophie Schaal Wines

Sophie Schaal is a French winemaker based in Alsace, where she produces wines under her own name. Her connection with South Africa began during a visit to the Cape, where the landscape, wines and remarkable biodiversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom left a lasting impression.

In 2021, Sophie released her first South African wines under the Born of Fire label. The name refers to the role fire plays in the regeneration of fynbos. Many indigenous plants rely on fire to release and activate their seeds, allowing new growth to emerge.

The range consists of Chenin Blanc and Syrah produced from organically farmed vineyards in the Swartland. Both wines are shaped by the region’s warm, dry conditions and Malmesbury shale soils, which retain enough moisture to support dry-farmed bush vines.

The Born of Fire Chenin Blanc comes from old bush vines. The grapes are hand-picked, gently pressed and matured in a combination of 300-litre barrels and tank. It is a generous but fresh expression of Chenin Blanc, with ripe fruit, floral notes, texture and a bright finish.

The Born of Fire Syrah is fermented naturally following approximately three weeks of skin contact, then matured for 12 months in 300-litre barrels. It shows dark fruit, floral perfume, spice and dried herbs, with depth balanced by freshness and fine tannin.

These are distinctly South African wines, viewed through Sophie’s Alsace-trained eye for freshness, balance and detail.

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Location: Swartland, South Africa and Alsace, France

Winemakers: Sophie Schaal

First Vintage: 2021

Viticulture: Bought-in fruit, organically farmed, dry-farmed vineyards

Vinification:Hand-picked fruit, natural fermentation and restrained oak maturation

Website: sophieschaal.com