Tokara is a picture perfect destination which offers visitors a unique combination of award-winning wines, a range of olive oils and a five year old pot still brandy. The estate boasts a fine dining restaurant which is ranked among South Africa’s best and an informal delicatessen. The property also has fine artwork displayed throughout the property for the enjoyment of its patrons.

Situated 50km to the east of Table Mountain, the TOKARA “home farm” is rested on the Simonsberg side of the Banghoek Valley, at elevations of between 350m and 550m. Soil profiles are of weathered sandstone and decomposed granite, the combination lending structure, perfume and longevity to our wines.

The highland vineyard lies to the south of Stellenbosch in Elgin, a cool-climate area atop Sir Lowry’s Pass. Soils are predominantly Table Mountain sandstone imparting an ethereal scent to both Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc.

Vineyards

The vineyards crop between 6 and 10t/ha and the grapes are harvested at various degrees of ripeness from 21.0 to 23 degrees balling, depending on acid, pH, flavour intensity and profile. All grapes are hand harvested.

Vinification

The grapes are de-stemmed, crushed and pumped via mash cooler directly into our inert (oxygen free) press. Free-run and press juices were separated and settled overnight before being racked off the heavy lees and inoculated for fermentation with selected wine yeasts. Fermentation is controlled at 18 degrees Celsius in stainless steel tanks. 4 % of the wine fermented in barrel. After fermentation the wine was blended, stabilised and bottled in June 2023. 230 000 bottles were produced.

Tasting Notes

The wine has a vibrant light straw colour with a brilliant pale green edge that catches the light. There is an appealing mix of fresh lime blossom, ripe passion fruit and sliced caped gooseberry on the nose. The wine enters the palate with concentrated flavours,
consistent with the aromatics. The finish is refreshing and crisp with a slight oyster shell salinity derived from the grapes provenance on cool, maritime influenced sites.

This wine is best enjoyed cold on a hot summer’s day. Either on its own or it can be served with grilled chicken, fish, prawns or fresh oysters.