“When venturing into the unknown like that, winning awards is not really your first priority, but it is so rewarding to know the risk was well worth it.”
Owner founder: Jan Hendrik joubert

Baleia, the first and only winery in the remote Vermaaklikheid ward on the Cape South Coast, has been honored with a major award at the Novare SA Terroir Awards 2022. The Baleia Tempranillo 2019 has been named National Winner in its category, an honor that adds critical acclaim to the popular following this lesser-known variety has enjoyed since its first release at Baleia.

According to winemaker Gunter Schultz, the 2019 vintage produced a modest crop of small berries with high concentration, which necessitated very gentle handling of the grapes in the cellar to avoid layering, and the maritime mineral mouthfeel that is such a distinctive feature of all Baleia’s wines.

For owner-founder Jan Hendrik Joubert, the award is a vindication for his daring vision to establish Baleia in 2013. “It seemed absurd to some when we decided to plant vineyards in this grain only, farming region. But I knew that our rocky limestone soils and harsh elements could create interesting, true-to-terroir wines. When venturing into the unknown like that, winning awards is not really your top priority but it is so comforting to know the risk was well worth it.”

The Novare SA Terroir Awards, as the name implies, were created to define the various terroir types of the Cape and give recognition to the wines that best portray their unique set of natural influences.

The National Award-winning Baleia Tempranillo 2019 is available in limited quantities and can be ordered from the winery, online shop.