Grape farm

Since the days of Simon van der Stel, the land at L'Avenir has been planted with vines. In 1992, Mauritian born Marc Wiehe bought the farm and founded L'Avenir and by 1997, the farm was ranked best at that year's Chenin Blanc Challenge. Paying tribute to the terroir of Stellenbosch, L'Avenir focuses primarily on producing the heritage Chenin Blanc and the innovative, local varietal, Pinotage. Vineyard region: 13.55 ha of Pinotage is planted with the oldest vineyard established in 1985, to the most recent planting in 2015. 100% are trellised vines. Supplementary irrigation is applied during the warmer summer months when the soil water table may become parched. There are blocks of Pinotage situated on various aspects of a large hill that comprises L’Avenir, allowing certain blocks to be isolated for specific vinification styles and premium wines. The Indian Ocean is less than 20km away, and gentle afternoon sea-breezes drift over the farm and exert a cooling influence against the late afternoon Cape sun Vintage: warm weather led to fast ripening and an early harvest. Grapes were very healthy for the fact that we didn’t receive any rain at the start of harvest. Maximum hang time was given to help with the development of aromas and phenolic ripeness Grape varieties: 100% Pinotage Tasting: after an impressive introduction of dark berries, this rich red wine unravels with layers of floral notes, vanilla and tempting toffee. Its beautiful balance of flavours and velvety texture depart with a lasting impression of depth and elegance Appearance: brilliant dark maroon Nose: a luscious and lively nose of dark mulberries, juicy blueberries and hints of sweet vanilla, toffee and flower garden Palate: a medium to full bodied and fruit-driven palate with soft and velvety tannins that deliver a long luxurious finish

Since the days of Simon van der Stel, the land at L'Avenir has been planted with vines. In 1992, Mauritian born Marc Wiehe bought the farm and founded L'Avenir and by 1997, the farm was ranked best at that year's Chenin Blanc Challenge. Paying tribute to the terroir of Stellenbosch, L'Avenir focuses primarily on producing the heritage Chenin Blanc and the innovative, local varietal, Pinotage. Vineyard region: three different blocks of select clones have been positioned on the highest slopes of the farm. This elevated placement allows the vines to benefit from the cool sea-breezes that drift from the False Bay coast towards Stellenbosch. In addition, the ridge of decomposed granite and shale - from which the soil is derived – provides an ideal environment for Sauvignon Blanc to develop its unique character Vintage: an early & hot ripening period lead to fast sugar accumulation & harvest taking place approximately 3 weeks earlier than in the past. Still, the grapes showed beautiful natural acidity & lush aromas Grape varieties: 100% Sauvignon Blanc (L’Avenir Grapes) Tasting: full of fresh tropical flavours of pineapple and white pear, with notes of ripe summer melon and a subtle grassy note. A very natural, refreshing acidity Appearance: a clear, crisp very pale gold Nose: intense tropical aromas of guava and pineapple with just a hint of lemongrass Palate: a refreshing acidity and elegant tropical fruit chased by refreshing acidity that lingers on the palate

This very special single origin coffee comes from one of the largest and most historic coffee farms in Costa Rica. Aquiares was actually established by British farmers in 1890, and was one of the first estates to export Costa Rican coffee. The farm was purchased by the current owning family in 1971 and management came under Don Alfonso, after whom the coffee is named, in 1992. Lots bearing Don Alfonso's name are among the best the estate has to offer - a way of paying homage to the legacy he has created for his community and family. When he took over, he not only championed top quality production, but also social justice, ensuring that the welfare of his farm workers and the wider community were treated as high priorities. What's particularly exciting about this Don Alfonso coffee is that our friends at Origin have managed to source both a fully washed and a natural-processed version. It's a rare opportunity to taste the exact same coffee processed two different ways and we'd highly encourage you to undertake this exploration of coffee flavour while you can -  your taste buds won't regret it. This washed version has a tropical fruit acidity that's definitely more pronounced than its  natural counterpart. It also has a sugary sweetness accompanied by a winter-spice characteristic that's reminiscent of cinnamon. You  may also find some lychee, particularly in a Chemex brew, which was our favourite way to enjoy this coffee. Roaster's notes Flavour:  Caramelised Sugar, Lychee, Cinnamon Body:  Medium, Juicy Roast: Light Acidity:  Mild, Grape Suitable for:  Pour-over, Aeropress, Moka Pot, Espresso Coffee details Farm:  Aquiares Estate Owner: Olman Aguilera Chaves Variety:  Caturra Processing:  Fully-washed, dried in mechanical drier for 32 hours at 40C Altitude: 800 to  1,400 masl Town/City:   Aquiares Region:  Turrialba Country: Costa Rica

Since the days of Simon van der Stel, the land at L'Avenir has been planted with vines. In 1992, Mauritian born Marc Wiehe bought the farm and founded L'Avenir and by 1997, the farm was ranked best at that year's Chenin Blanc Challenge. Paying tribute to the terroir of Stellenbosch, L'Avenir focuses primarily on producing the heritage Chenin Blanc and the innovative, local varietal, Pinotage. Vintage: a vintage where the Chenin Blanc vines prospered under ripening conditions that allowed a healthy delivery of grapes to the cellar. Grapes were harvested a month earlier than normal, thus this abnormal occurrence led to very healthy grapes and the earliers harvest in 50 years for the industry. Grape varieties: 100% Chenin Blanc Tasting: a full palate abundant with rich flavours of ripe pineapple, juicy pear and melon combined with delicate honey and toasted almond from partial fermentation in oak casks. The gentle acidity ensures this wine remains refreshing and crisp and an ideal accompaniment to seafood or poultry on a sun-filled summer’s day. Appearance: a crisp pale straw yellow with a beautiful clarity Nose: precise and intense fruit aromas of ripe pineapple and melon, accented by subtle honey and toasted almonds from 40% wood contact and batonage, lees stirring. Palate: full and rich with a complex roundness and refreshing acidity that creates a memorable and elegant finish, with a slight minerality to the end

Since the days of Simon van der Stel, the land at L'Avenir has been planted with vines. In 1992, Mauritian born Marc Wiehe bought the farm and founded L'Avenir and by 1997, the farm was ranked best at that year's Chenin Blanc Challenge. Paying tribute to the terroir of Stellenbosch, L'Avenir focuses primarily on producing the heritage Chenin Blanc and the innovative, local varietal, Pinotage. Vineyard region: 50% if the wines composition grapes, is derived from L’Avenir Estate, the other 50% of the blends grapes is from the Swartland area (Bush vine Pinotage) Vintage: An earlier vintage with good developmentof fragrantfloral notes, stable colour development, and sugar accumulation in very healthy grapes. Grape varieties: 82% Pinotage 18% Merlot Tasting: A fruit-filled, succulent and lighter-styled red wine, ideal for drinking without further maturation. The floral, Pinot Noir component of the Pinotage varietal is expressed very delicately without detracting from the unique South-African nature of this fascinating cultivar, and the palate is filled with notes of ripe red berries from the Merlot with a lingering red fruit finish Appearance: Brilliant red Nose: Plums and bursting with ripe red berries Palate: Very supple tannins create a gentle palate with a lingering red fruit finish

Since the days of Simon van der Stel, the land at L'Avenir has been planted with vines. In 1992, Mauritian born Marc Wiehe bought the farm and founded L'Avenir and by 1997, the farm was ranked best at that year's Chenin Blanc Challenge. Paying tribute to the terroir of Stellenbosch, L'Avenir focuses primarily on producing the heritage Chenin Blanc and the innovative, local varietal, Pinotage. Vineyard region: all grapes for the 2015 vintage are L’Avenir Estate derived, these grapes are Stellenbosch of origin Vintage: the 2015 vintage reflects in a fuller, fruitier and delicately floral wine that is true to the delicate nature of the Pinot Noir parentage of Pinotage Grape varieties: 100% Pinotage Tasting: a floral, fruit-filled nose that radiates sweet strawberry and watermelon aromas, yet is surprisingly dry and refreshing on the palate. Appearance: a vibrant and inviting sunset pink Nose: a lively and layered nose with candy-sweet strawberry mingling with a delicate rose-petal note Palate: a deceptively dry wine with a refreshing acidity that complements the fruity palate of the wine