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

Tasting Notes 

Colour

Straw yellow in colour.

Nose

Made in the oxidative style, citrus compote with touch of botrytis and fine oak nuances. 

Palate

Complex wine with a serious mid palate and length. 

Vintage

A better crop compared to 2019, owing to favourable post-harvest conditions and moderate temperatures during ripening.

Vinification

Grapes were picked at 20°C, gentle crushed and was cold macerated on the skins for 8 hours before pressing. The juice was left to settle for two days and racked to barrel. Using only wild yeast, fermentation occurred over an 8-day period. The wine spent 36 months in a 3rd fill 500L French oak barrel.

Accolades

• Gold Medal - Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge 2023 

Specifications

Tasting Notes 

This wine has a soft, salmon pink colour and is bursting with aromas of strawberries and rose petals. The palate is vibrant with a good balance between the bright acidity and flavours of Turkish delight, strawberries and red cherries. The finish is juicy and dry and the wine has a pleasant length.

A fresh, dry and vibrant Rosé made via direct pressing of Cabernet Sauvignon providing a wine with an alluring salmon colour and appealing drinkability.

Vintage Conditions

2022 was an excellent vintage for the Rosé on Dornier. The ripening season was cooler than the previous vintage. The result of this cooler season was that the grapes ripened at lower sugar levels and with a fresher natural acidity and more delicate flavours. 

Fermentation and Ageing

The Cabernet Sauvignon ripened in late February. The grapes were handpicked and pressed directly after destemming in order to obtain light pink juice. The resultant light pink juice fermented for 14 days at 12 degrees Celsius and spent a further four months on full lees to provide fullness and body to the wine. 

History

Dornier is a family owned winery situated in The Golden Triangle area of the upper Blaauwklippen Valley Stellenbosch. The primary focus at Dornier lies in the production of premium quality wines with minimal intervention which are expressive of the unique terroir of The Golden Triangle whilst showcasing the complexity and finesse of the noble grape varieties planted at Dornier. Reverence for tradition is salient at Dornier as is difference where it leads to improvement.

Dornier Wine Estate is located on 3 different farms in the Upper Blaauwklippen Valley namely Groenkloof, Heldemeer and Stellenrust (Homestead) the latter of which includes a historic Sir Herbert Baker designed homestead and one of the first wine cellars ever built in Stellenbosch in the late 1600s.

Dornier proudly boasts an A rating with IPW (Integrity and Sustainability) given its ongoing efforts incorporated and devotion towards sustainable farming practises with integrity. 

Dornier also holds an A Rating with WIETA - a pro-active world-class and sustainable ethical trade programme for the South African wine industry and aligned sectors. given its efforts incorporated and devotion towards facilitating fair working conditions and sustainable ethical trade within the wine industry and its aligned sectors.

Specifications

Western Cape richness, sea‑breeze softness,  Pinotage at its most decadent.

Tasting Notes

Meduim bodied red with flavours of plum, dark berries and some hints of vanilla. The 
palate is smooth and fresh.

Vinification

Grapes are picked by hand in early morning and de-stemmed. nly free run juice is used. 
Juice is clarified by flotation and clean juice used for the fermentation. Selected yeast 
are used for a cold fermentation in stainless steel tank for 18 days. Wine is left on the 
lees for 3 months before racking. Stabilization and filtration before bottling.

Producer

Perdeberg Group is one of South Africas leading wine producers and exporters with its head office situated in the shadows of the Paardeberg Mountain in Paarl. Established in 1941, we offer customers a complete solution to meet the ever-changing needs of 
their consumers. The unique composition of our vineyards significantly contributes to the quality of our wines. These dry land bush vines create exceptional fruit concentration more than vines subjected to unnatural vineyard practices. The structure and complexity in these smaller berries bring intense colour, added body and bold flavours

Specifications

Indulgence with a wink ripe fruit, silky texture, effortless pleasure.

Tasting Notes

Medium bodied red with flavours of red berries, cherries and some hints of vanilla. The 
palate is smooth and fresh.

Vinification

Grapes are picked by hand in early morning and de-stemmed. nly free run juice is used. 
Juice is clarified by flotation and clean juice used for the fermentation. Selected yeast 
are used for a cold fermentation in stainless steel tank for 18 days. Wine is left on the 
lees for 3 months before racking. Stabilization and filtration before bottling.

Producer

Perdeberg Group is one of South Africas leading wine producers and exporters with its head office situated in the shadows of the Paardeberg Mountain in Paarl. Established in 1941, we offer customers a complete solution to meet the ever-changing needs of 
their consumers. The unique composition of our vineyards significantly contributes to the quality of our wines. These dry land bush vines create exceptional fruit concentration more than vines subjected to unnatural vineyard practices. The structure and complexity in these smaller berries bring intense colour, added body and bold flavours.

Alan's Personal Tasting Note

"This is the 2nd of the saltwind range that I’ve tasted, the 2025 Merlot, and it’s stunning! Medium, not FULL bodied, with very attractive damson & blackberry fruit, and the tiniest hint of spice in the back palate. But, like the Chenin, it’s the purity and freshness of fruit that is most amazing to me. You don’t generally get that freshness from South African fruit, it’s usually a lot fuller, jammy and richer than this fresh, smooth mouthful. Not a blockbuster, just an incredibly delicate, fruity wine that , in my opinion, must have been made by one of the new breed of SA female winemakers. A man couldn’t get this delicacy, beauty and softness from SA grapes, and a million miles away from the big, punchy styles of SA red we’ve seen over the last 20 years."  JUNE 2026

Specifications

A polished swirl of sunshine, fruit and coastal charm.

Tasting Notes

Fresh fruity white with notes of Stone fruit and citrus. The palate is fresh and crisp.

Vinification

Grapes are picked by hand in the early morning and de-stemmed. Only free-run juice is used. Juice is clarified by flotation, and clean juice is used for fermentation. Selected yeast is used for a cold fermentation in a stainless steel tank for 18 days. Wine is left on the lees for 3 months before racking. Stabilisation and filtration before bottling.

Producer

Perdeberg Group is one of South Africas leading wine producers and exporters with its head office situated in the shadows of the Paardeberg Mountain in Paarl. Established in 1941, we offer customers a complete solution to meet the ever-changing needs of 
their consumers. The unique composition of our vineyards significantly contributes to the quality of our wines. These dry land bush vines create exceptional fruit concentration more than vines subjected to unnatural vineyard practices. The structure and complexity in these smaller berries bring intense colour, added body and bold flavours.

Specifications

A Bright, breezy and cheekily crisp Sauvignon Blanc

Tasting Notes

Fresh fruity Sauvignon Blanc with notes of tropical fruit and goosberries. The palate is fresh and crisp.

Vinification

Grapes are picked by hand in the early morning and de-stemmed. Only free-run juice is used. Juice is clarified by flotation, and clean juice is used for fermentation. Selected yeast is used for a cold fermentation in a stainless steel tank for 18 days. Wine is left on the lees for 3 months before racking. Stabilisation and filtration before bottling.

Producer

Perdeberg Group is one of South Africas leading wine producers and exporters with its head office situated in the shadows of the Paardeberg Mountain in Paarl. Established in 1941, we offer customers a complete solution to meet the ever-changing needs of 
their consumers. The unique composition of our vineyards significantly contributes to the quality of our wines. These dry land bush vines create exceptional fruit concentration more than vines subjected to unnatural vineyard practices. The structure and complexity in these smaller berries bring intense colour, added body and bold flavours.

Specifications