This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible female winemakers who are reshaping the wine world with their passion, talent, and innovation. From crafting exceptional vintages to preserving age-old traditions and pioneering new techniques, these women are true trailblazers.
Explore our curated selection of wines made by brilliant women winemakers and join us in toasting their achievements. Cheers to their artistry, resilience, and the stories they bring to life with every bottle!
15 products
2023 Ronchi di Manzano Friulano
Regular price £15.95 Sale price £13.95 Save 13%"Classy, elegant & pure - A top notch, classy and elegant cool climate white from northern Italy. Often mistaken for Sauvignon but with none of the aromas - just great fruit, nuttiness and minerality - reminds me of a good Sancerre."
Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw-yellow color with light green reflections.
Nose
Intense aroma of blossom and ripen fruit.
Mouth
It is dry, full, soft, very intense, hazelnut, scents of sweet almonds, pear, green apple, fresh, in a beautiful bedrock minerality.
Background
Ronchi di Manzano is located in Friuli, northeastern Italy, where the Colli Orientali hills play host to a wide range of small and large wine estates. The micro-climate and soil composition have shaped this land to be a cradle of great wines. The terroir has also shaped the growers and winemakers and it is only by continuing to be guided by and respect nature that they are able to consistently produce quality.
Roberta Borghese, the owner of these Ronchi (steep slopes), has understood their true values and is enthralled by the rhythm and beauty of nature.
The Ronchi di Manzano winery was established in 1969, but its vineyards have an ancient tradition of centuries. Everything started with the Counts of Trento, who had a special predilection for the Ronchi di Manzano, both for its location and for its soil composition. Its vineyards were considered to be some of the best in the whole area and the wines produced were very often requested by French and Savoy noblemen.
Roberta Borghese, the owner of these Ronchi (steep slopes), has understood their true values and is enthralled by the rhythm and beauty of nature.
The Ronchi di Manzano winery was established in 1969, but its vineyards have an ancient tradition of centuries. Everything started with the Counts of Trento, who had a special predilection for the Ronchi di Manzano, both for its location and for its soil composition. Its vineyards were considered to be some of the best in the whole area and the wines produced were very often requested by French and Savoy noblemen.
The Borghese family has owned the Ronchi di Manzano winery since 1969. Their descendant Roberta, continues the family tradition with great passion and with the professional skills that she has acquired all around the world in places such as France, California and Italy. She has traveled and worked a lot to bring innovation to the winery, something she believes is fundamental to the company’s success. She directs the whole process of wine growing as well as the promotion of the wines she produces. Her two daughters, Lisa and Nicole have entered into the winery’s business and by following their mother's footsteps, they are continuing the family tradition.
Vineyard
Marl and sandstone soils of Eocene origin locally known as “ponca” and a soil that characterises the Colli Orientali. The vines are trained on the Guyot trellising system.
The grapes are destemmed soon after arrival at the winery followed by an immediate cooling of the de-stemmed grapes and a soft pressing to extract the juice.
It is the oldest vineyard of the winery, situated 200 meters far away from the cellar on hill. The plants are very old, there is a capuccina vine cultivation system and therefore there is a little production of it. Crio-maceration for one night at a controlled temperature of 0°C. Fermentation occurs in big wood barrels of 45hl.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"This is not an adventurous white - it’s a simple but top quality dry white with good citric fruit, some nuttiness and some minerality - but it’s the classiness and purity that sets it apart from basic whites.
A top notch, classy and elegant cool climate white from northern Italy. Often mistaken for Sauvignon but with none of the aromas - just great fruit, nuttiness and minerality - reminds me of a good Sancerre.
It’s an all woman wine as well, all vineyard and winery work done by a mother and her two daughters on a small, quality, premium estate." tasted July 2024
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Friulano |
| Country | Italy |
|
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Food & Serving Information |
Ideal to be paired with San Daniele ham, eggs, asparagus, herbs frittata or herbs soup, Serving temperature 8-10°C. |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Origin |
Friuli Colli Orientali |
| Appellation | Friuli DOC |
2023 Glenwood Vigneron's Selection Chardonnay
Regular price £22.49GlenWood Estate is in the Robertsvlei Valley, close to Franschhoek in the Western Cape. Their wines are multi-award winning and have become synonymous with incredible quality and diligent winemaking.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw-yellow in the glass
Nose
Subdued nose with vanilla and marmalade.
Palate
They carry on to the palate with citrus peel, almonds and butter. Lengthy and refined with steely minerality on the finish.
Vineyards
Vine age:12 years. A low canopy allowed optimal sunlight penetration. Minimal irrigation was used. The fruit ripened slowly allowing the development of small bunches with highly concentrated flavours.
Vinification
This Chardonnay had its fruit picked and whole-bunch pressed. The juice was left to settle for two days and transferred to barrel, where it fermented for nine days, before ageing for a further nine months on its lees in French oak.
Accolades
-
Platters 2023 | 95pts
Gets less barrel time than Grand Duc & only 33% new oak, but 2021 equally impressive & stellar. Consistent styling sees same preserved lemon & toast notes, candied nut decadence & lingering limy-fresh finish as 2020 (4.5 stars, 94 pts). Whole bunch, wild yeast ferment, 9 months on lees.
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | South Africa |
|
Alcohol content
|
14.5% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.8 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Food Matching |
Creamy chicken pasta with grated lemon zest and parmesan. |
| Cellaring Potential | Drink through 2030. |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Origin | Robertsvlei Valley, Franschhoek |
| Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2020 Ronchi di Manzano Pinot Grigio
Regular price £20.49 Sale price £17.99 Save 12%This is a single estate Pinot Grigio from the Friuli Colli Orientalist generally acknowledged as the top location for premium Pinot Grigio.
A beautiful, serious pinot grigio with fresh pear, flint and honeydew melon aromas that follow through to a medium to full body, with pretty fruit and a flavorful finish. a soft bitter-lemon aftertaste adds depth and complexity
Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw-yellow in colour
Nose
A fragrant and crisp aroma with unmistakable floral notes and hints of ripened pear.
Mouth
Its taste is dry and minerally, acidic yet balanced, and is both intense and enduring.
Background
Ronchi di Manzano is located in Friuli, northeastern Italy, where the Colli Orientali hills play host to a wide range of small and large wine estates. The micro-climate and soil composition have shaped this land to be a cradle of great wines. The terroir has also shaped the growers and winemakers and it is only by continuing to be guided by and respect nature that they are able to consistently produce quality.
Roberta Borghese, the owner of these Ronchi (steep slopes), has understood their true values and is enthralled by the rhythm and beauty of nature.
The Ronchi di Manzano winery was established in 1969, but its vineyards have an ancient tradition of centuries. Everything started with the Counts of Trento, who had a special predilection for the Ronchi di Manzano, both for its location and for its soil composition. Its vineyards were considered to be some of the best in the whole area and the wines produced were very often requested by French and Savoy noblemen.
Roberta Borghese, the owner of these Ronchi (steep slopes), has understood their true values and is enthralled by the rhythm and beauty of nature.
The Ronchi di Manzano winery was established in 1969, but its vineyards have an ancient tradition of centuries. Everything started with the Counts of Trento, who had a special predilection for the Ronchi di Manzano, both for its location and for its soil composition. Its vineyards were considered to be some of the best in the whole area and the wines produced were very often requested by French and Savoy noblemen.
The Borghese family has owned the Ronchi di Manzano winery since 1969. Their descendant Roberta, continues the family tradition with great passion and with the professional skills that she has acquired all around the world in places such as France, California and Italy. She has traveled and worked a lot to bring innovation to the winery, something she believes is fundamental to the company’s success. She directs the whole process of wine growing as well as the promotion of the wines she produces. Her two daughters, Lisa and Nicole have entered into the winery’s business and by following their mother's footsteps, they are continuing the family tradition.
Vineyard
Marl and sandstone soils of Eocene origin locally known as “ponca” and a soil that characterises the Colli Orientali. The vines are trained on the Guyot trellising system.
The grapes are destemmed soon after arrival at the winery followed by an immediate cooling of the de-stemmed grapes and a soft pressing to extract the juice.
Vinification and fermentation are done in stainless steel temperature-controlled tanks. The wine is bottled in March and is refined in bottles for a period of approximately two months, only then is it ready for release to the marketplace.
Accolades
- James Suckling 91 points
Specifications
| Year | 2020 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | Pinot Grigio |
| Country | Italy |
|
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Food & Serving Information |
Enjoy it as an aperitif, or with deli meats, starters, fish, soups, pastas, rice dishes like risotto, or white meats at an ideal temperature of 8-10°C. |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Origin |
Friuli Colli Orientali |
| Appellation | Friuli DOC |
GlenWood Grand Duc Noblesse (Sweet) N/V
Regular price £26.69Noblesse takes its name from ‘noble rot’, a winemaking process which accentuates sugar, and reduces water content in grapes, making them perfect for sweet wine production.
A wine in this style is the result of painstaking attention to detail in the vineyard, and the cellar.
Tasting Notes
This wine is 100% Semillon, and has the tell-tale notes of honey, dried apricots, butterscotch and ripe mango. Make sure to serve it well chilled.
Vineyards
Vine age: 19 years.
Density: 2,800 vines per hectare.
Normal vineyard yield: 8-9 tons per hectare.
Soils are well-drained compromised lightly structured Clovelly and Avalon.
Vines are planted 1.4 m apart to avoid density as Semillon can be vigorous in growth. Intensive leaf and shoot management in October allow for even ripeness and provided shade to achieve maximum fruit concentration.
Vinification
An intensive, 4-stage, harvest selection in which only noble rot berries were selected containing sugar of between 34 and 36°B. Prior to pressing the berries went through another selection process to ensure that only 100% noble rot berries were pressed. Pressing occurred over a three-day period with a minimal 95 Litres per ton of Semillon recovered. Juice was settled and racked to small 225 Litre selected French oak barrels. No yeast inoculation occurred and the juice fermented naturally down to 150 grams residual sugar per litre. The wine has spent 28 months in barrel before stabilisation and bottling.
Winemaker Comments
"This wine has developed into a well-integrated sweet wine with enticing nutty and honey flavours. We are proud to release this wine with delicate similarities to the revered French Sauternes which was one of our main objectives. Enjoy now or age for 10 to 15 years to develop further complexity."
Accolades
-
95pts | Platter’s 2022
2017 botrytised semillon 50% sweeter than last, 2014 (4.5 stars, 93 pts), but so perfectly balanced, the enjoyment is unimpaired, and scores higher. Older barrel fermented/aged 28 months: candied citrus, apricot, with enough brightening acidity to offset the richness. 375 ml.
-
94pts | Tim Atkin 2022 SA Report
Noblesse is a reference to the botrytis (noble rot) that affected the berries on this delicious pure Semillon from Franschhoek. Well-balanced between acidity, 156 grams of sugar and a restrained volatile lift, this has honey, peach and orange zest flavours and a sheen of toasty oak spice. 2021-25
Specifications
| Year | N/v |
| Bottle Size | 375ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Semillon |
| Country | South Africa |
|
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 4.88 units |
| Type | Dessert Wine |
| Food Matching |
Try it with homemade apple crumble and vanilla ice cream, or mature Stilton cheese. |
| Cellaring Potential | Enjoy now or age for 10 to 15 years to develop further complexity. |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Origin | Robertsvlei Valley, Franschhoek |
| Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2022 Beau Constantia 'Pierre' Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £29.99A classic cool climate Sauvignon blanc made from grapes grown at high altitude on incredibly steep NE-facing slopes. These low-yielding, windswept vines are determined to survive and produce fruit of incredible flavour concentration.
Beau Constantia is a boutique wine farm situated at the top of Constantia Nek overlooking False Bay. These lovingly nurtured vines are spoilt with panoramic views of the Stellenbosch and Helderberg Mountain ranges.
Tasting Notes
A true reflection of a ‘sense of place’, this wine highlights the incredibly close proximity of Beau Constantia to the cold Atlantic Ocean with its profound minerality. The minerality serves to add flesh to the nervy acidity (high-altitude Sauv Blanc vines and cooling winds) and fine tannin structure (from skin contact and lees contact).
Notes of blackcurrant, ripe granadilla and buchu are complimented by the minerality, lively acid profile and tannin structure.
The Vintage by Winemaker Megan van der Merwe
"2022 was challenging, but challenges are what make a vintage unique, and overcoming them is what makes a vintage meaningful."
Winery
Some two decades ago, raging wildfires swept through an area of forest high up on Constantia Nek, leaving the slopes scorched and bare. When the fire had subsided, what was left was a brilliant and unique spot for planting a vineyard; 350 metres above sea level, with cooling ocean breezes and steep sun-bathed hills and so, like a phoenix, Beau Constantia rose from the ashes.
Sensing opportunity, Pierre and Cecily Du Preez acquired the 22-hectare property in 2002. With thorough soil analysis guiding their efforts, the inaugural vineyards were planted in 2003 under the careful guidance of farm manager, Japie Bronn.
The journey to establish vineyards on these challenging slopes demanded patience and unwavering commitment. Today, Beau Constantia proudly boasts 11.47 hectares under vine, a testament to the perseverance and dedication of all involved. Within these vineyards thrive a diverse range of varietals, including Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz, and Petit Verdot, each meticulously nurtured to capture the unique essence of this extraordinary landscape.
This boutique wine farm with just over 11 hectares under vine has utterly spectacular views over the peninsula. Megan van der Merwe is the Head Winemaker, having taken over from Justin Van Wyk in 2021, after serving as Assistant Winemaker during his successful tenure. Megan believes in 'farming to perfection - just don't stuff it up in the cellar!'. This very talented winemaker is certainly one to watch.
Each of their releases is a tribute to a member of the family.
Accolades & Awards
- Tim Atkins | 93 points
‘’Two pickings across five different parcels are the building blocks of this blend, made from a pairing of Sauvignon Blanc and 7% Semillon. Wild yeasts and some skin contact, as well as a variety of fermentation vessels, add complexity, mixing notes of nettles, elderflower and oyster shell with a dab of cream.’’
Specifications
| Year | 2022 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | Sauvignon Blanc & 7% Semillon |
| Country | South Africa |
| Alcohol content | 13.5% abv |
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.4 units per bottle |
| Type | White Wine |
| Food Matching | Asparagus and pea risotto with lemon zest and basil. |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Origin | Constantia |
| Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2020 Beau Constantia 'Stella' Syrah
Regular price £34.99"Derived directly from Latin, the word “stella” meaning star, this wine is a fitting tribute to our deceased mother who will remain a guide and shining light in the Du Preez family as we try to emulate her joie de vivre."
Beau Constantia is a boutique wine farm situated at the top of Constantia Nek overlooking False Bay. These lovingly nurtured vines are spoilt with panoramic views of the Stellenbosch and Helderberg Mountain ranges.
Tasting Notes
Megan van der Merwe, the brilliant young winemaker at Beau Constantia, set out to make the Stella with ‘the absolute intention to preserve the site that grew the fruit’. The Syrah and Viognier for this wine grow side by side on one of the farm’s lower lying slopes – both varietals are picked together, when the Syrah is ripe, meaning that the Viognier hangs on the vine until it is a little raisined, adding a rich honey-like component to the wine. 18 months in French oak (only 28% new) adds complexity to the wine.
Floral notes of violet, spicy black pepper, dried herbs and fresh red fruit – cherry and pomegranate – are held together by savoury fine tannin. Epic!
Winery
Some two decades ago, raging wildfires swept through an area of forest high up on Constantia Nek, leaving the slopes scorched and bare. When the fire had subsided, what was left was a brilliant and unique spot for planting a vineyard; 350 metres above sea level, with cooling ocean breezes and steep sun-bathed hills and so, like a phoenix, Beau Constantia rose from the ashes.
Sensing opportunity, Pierre and Cecily Du Preez acquired the 22-hectare property in 2002. With thorough soil analysis guiding their efforts, the inaugural vineyards were planted in 2003 under the careful guidance of farm manager, Japie Bronn.
The journey to establish vineyards on these challenging slopes demanded patience and unwavering commitment. Today, Beau Constantia proudly boasts 11.47 hectares under vine, a testament to the perseverance and dedication of all involved. Within these vineyards thrive a diverse range of varietals, including Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz, and Petit Verdot, each meticulously nurtured to capture the unique essence of this extraordinary landscape.
This boutique wine farm with just over 11 hectares under vine has utterly spectacular views over the peninsula. Megan van der Merwe is the Head Winemaker, having taken over from Justin Van Wyk in 2021, after serving as Assistant Winemaker during his successful tenure. Megan believes in 'farming to perfection - just don't stuff it up in the cellar!'. This very talented winemaker is certainly one to watch.
Each of their releases is a tribute to a member of the family.
Accolades & Awards
- 93pts | Platter's 2023
- Tim Atkin 90pts
“Stella is a Côte Rôtie style co-fermentation of Syrah with 0.05% (yes, really) Viognier and 52% whole bunches. Very much a cool climate style, it has aromas of dried herbs and white pepper, savoury tannins, perfumed 28% new wood and bright red cherry and pomegranate fruit.”
Specifications
| Year | 2020 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 99.5% Syrah with a splash of Viognier |
| Country | South Africa |
| Alcohol content | 14.18% abv |
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.6 units per bottle |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Food Matching | Enjoy with simple Ostrich Carpaccio covered in all kinds of Umami – try truffle, pecorino, honey or/and Dijon mustard with good quality, local, Olive oil and Carpaccio covered in truffle and parmesan or dijon mustard. |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Origin | Constantia |
| Appellation | WO Western Cape |
