Words: Charis Le Riche | Images: Supplied
Seen as a hidden gem of the Winelands, Linton Park’s legacy started in 1699, but it has only recently started to make a name for itself in the wine industry.
This is due to the fact that a UK-based company, Camellia Plc, whose interests include tea gardens, macadamia and avocado plantations, food service and engineering, was drawn in by the farm’s rural charm and bought it in 1995.
“We are so proud that our wines can carry this prestigious name, rich in heritage and culture. Of the many products produced by the group, the wines are the only product that carries the name Linton Park,” comments Linton Park commercial director Herman le Roux.
Camellia then took a more than 20-year journey to renovate the wine farm, and Linton Park was relaunched to the world last year. Herman adds, “We have now finally reached the point where we can go out in the world with a well-founded product base, good grape source, excellent cellar technology and a team to take on any challenge.”
Sustainability
Through renovating Linton Park, Camellia has maintained a focus on sustainability and conservation. This means reducing the farm’s carbon footprint by 8% over the next five years, eradicating alien trees, using recycled wastewater and solar power, and taking care of approximately 2% of the world’s threatened renosterveld.
Explains Herman, “We are very jealous of this sensitive natural ecological system and are protecting it with every effort it needs to maintain this area.”
Another element of their commitment to preserving the environment, a portion of the sales of their Rhino Range wines goes towards the conservation of rhinos in South Africa.
Innovation
Through rebranding has also come innovation with winemaker JG Auret taking risks to produce one-of-a-kind wines, like their Cafe Cabernet. Herman adds, “As a standard, most ‘coffee wines’ will have Pinotage as a base varietal, but in our case, we went for Cabernet Sauvignon. The second point of difference is the fact that JG experimented with untoasted oak which presents a unique character not found in the other so-called ‘coffee wines’.” They’ve since applied this to a Malbec as well.
Well worth a visit
Since its relaunch, Linton Park has not only taken up the challenge to take care of its environment but also the community around it with several upliftment programmes. With its Novare SA Novare Terroir Awards for the Best MCC produced in South Africa and its soon-to-be-launched 2017 Wild Fermented Chardonnay, there are plenty of reasons to visit this Wellington gem.
Linton Park
021 873 1625
lintonparkwines.co.za
