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Combining extensive winemaking experience from California and South Africa, Vilafonté produces top-notch wines that measure up against the best in the world.
Not only is the Western Cape the oldest continuously wine-producing region outside of Europe, it is also home to one of the oldest documented soil types on our planet. This unique defining characteristic, along with the region’s varied climate – wet, cold winters paired with long, dry summers – creates an extremely favourable environment for the production of fine wine.
One of the vineyards making use of this unique geology is Vilafonté. We spoke to Mike Ratcliffe, owner and CEO of this luxury estate, about his team’s approach to creating some very special wines.
Can you share the story behind the founding of Vilafonté?
The Vilafonté journey started almost three decades ago, in 1997, when we planted our first vineyard and became the first South African-American high-end winemaking joint venture. I founded the winery together with former Mondavi and Simi winemaker Dr Zelma Long, and Opus One winery’s VP of wine growing Dr Phil Freese.
What inspired your passion for winemaking, and how has this influenced the philosophy behind Vilafonté?
Our philosophy has always been that there’s every reason to believe a South African wine can be produced to stand proudly among the greatest wines in the world. We still believe this today, and we feel we’re closer to achieving this status than ever before. An experiment became a project, and the project has become a passion.
How do you balance traditional winemaking techniques with modern innovations when crafting your wines?
Like an artist choosing his or her medium, we remain committed to traditional vinification techniques, but seek also to introduce the most modern and forward- thinking innovations. Hand-crafting remains our ethos, though, so mechanisation is something we eschew.
Any projects or new releases that you’re particularly excited about?
While every bottle with the Vilafonté label is exciting for our loyal customers, the soon-to-be-released 2021 Series C has achieved the highest-ever score for a South African red from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate – a satisfying 99 points. Every connoisseur should strive to include this vintage in their wine collection.
What do you hope drinkers experience when they enjoy a glass of Vilafonté wine?
Vilafonté strives to be more than just a wine. We want our products to provide pleasure, to enhance an occasion, to elevate the drinker. We believe in curating moments, and that a great wine can uplift a meal to an occasion. Life is short – we need more grand occasions!
What vision do you have for the future of the winery?
The future of Vilafonté is bright. We will continue to seek out the nuances – to capture the brightest, most profound expressions of a vintage, and convey them for the benefit of our loyal customers. Vilafonté will never be for everyone – but it can strive to become everything for a selected few.
For more information, visit vilafonte.com
