Journey's End Vineyards Release Their Rebranded 'V' Series Range of Wines

Journey’s End, the picturesque boutique winery and vineyard situated on the mountain slopes above Sir Lowry’s Pass Village near Somerset West in the Helderberg basin, have released their rebranded ‘V Series’ range of wines to high acclaim.

On release, the Journey’s End V Chardonnay 2018 was honoured with a Top 10 placing and 93 points in Winemag.co.za’s 2019 Prescient Chardonnay Report and the Journey’s End V Shiraz 2016 received a Gold medal at the 2019 Michelangelo Awards.

One of South Africa’s most sustainable and experimental wineries, Journey’s End Vineyards was purchased by the Gabb family (originally from Shropshire, UK) in 1995, recognising the uniqueness of this beautiful farm with its magnificent views but, most significantly, its proven excellent terroir. Situated on the south-west facing slopes of the famous Schaapenberg Hills (neighbours are top wine estates Vergelegen and Morgenster), the vineyards have excellent soils and the cool south-easterly summer winds extend the ripening season of the vines and keep them dry and free of most insects.

JOURNEY’S END VINEYARDS V SERIES

Journey’s End Vineyards ‘V Series’ (Vineyard Series), comprises a Chardonnay 2018, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Shiraz 2016, Merlot 2016 and a maiden release, a Cabernet Franc 2017. All the wines in this Vineyard Series are distinctive examples of Journey’s End Vineyard’s unique terroir. With only a handful of premium, hand-crafted wines grown in excellent soils on sea-facing slopes, caressed by cool coastal breezes, the focus at Journey’s End Vineyards is very much on quality.

Journey’s End V Chardonnay 2018

The grapes were handpicked early morning from 2 different blocks. The one block was picked at 22.5 balling which gives the citrus/ minerality character to the wine. The other block was picked at 24.5 balling and contributes to the riper fruit flavours in the wine. Clear and bright, straw with a hint of green. Expressive fruit, initially lemon and citrus, but under that, it’s more tropical and pineapple, all seamed through with crushed almond, savoury oak tones. This is a layered, complex wine, the result of cool-grown fruit carefully handled, plus barrel selection. The palate is silky, with a tangy finish from the fruit and acid combination, extending the flavours.

Only 30 barrels produced - approximate retail price: R165

Journey’s End V Shiraz 2016

The grapes were hand-picked early in the morning from 2 different blocks on the farm. Block 9 is 140 m above sea level and block 13 is about 170 m above sea level. Ruby with a garnet edge. An expressive nose, brambleberries, campfire smoke, dusty savoury spice, this is a complex layered wine, providing lots of interest. Already delicious, the bit of age has made the texture smooth and rounded, with beautifully integrated tannins, but there is still a good future ahead.

Only 17 barrels produced - approximate retail price: R180

Journey’s End V Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Grapes were hand-picked early in the morning from blocks 6B & 8. Block 8 normally gets affected by the dominant wind during flowering period. Block 6B is next to a Eucalyptus forest which has an influence on the flavour profile but also protects the block from the wind. A core of rich blackcurrants, black plums, with a savoury overlay, meat extract, white pepper, mixed spice. The velvety texture is a result of maturation – the wine is at the perfect drinking age – and fine-textured tannins. Complex layered and well crafted.
Only 38 barrels produced - approximate retail price: R180

Journey’s End V Merlot 2016

The grapes were hand-picked early in the morning from blocks 5 & 7. Block 7 is situated next to a Eucalyptus forest which has a subtle influence on the flavour profile of the wine. Ruby, clear and bright. Blackcurrants and raspberries, a hint of violets, with the French oak well balanced to allow the fruit to shine. It shows nutmeg, vanilla, and white pepper perfume, and finishes with just enough grip to promise good cellaring potential. An elegant, polished wine, already drinking well. Best drunk until 2026
Only 25 barrels produced - approximate retail price: R180

Journey’s End V Cabernet Franc 2017

The grapes were handpicked from Block 4, largely situated on decomposed granite soils. The juice is fermented in 5000L French oak truncated casks before going through malolactic fermentation in second fill 300L barrels. The wine is then allowed to age for 14 months after malolactic fermentation in barrel before being blended and bottled.

This wine displays intense ripe cherry, savoury kalamata olive and wild fynbos characters on the nose rounded up by a sweet cinnamon spice from generous oak maturation. Great balance is exhibited on the pallet with coastal freshness, Mediterranean minerality and soft powdery tannins with a lengthy finish. Best drunk now and until 2025.
Only 3 barrels produced - approximate retail price: R180

Journey’s End V Series Retail Prices: The Journey’s End V Series Chardonnay, Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are available for purchase at Journey’s End Vineyards cellar door, online at https://shop.journeysend.co.za/ and nationally at select fine wine merchants as well as at leading restaurants.
Approximate retail prices for the V Series wines range between R165 and R180.

JOURNEY’S END VINEYARDS WINES

Journey’s End Vineyards recently revamped their range of wines to give clear differentiation between their three series - Tales Series, V Series and Precision Series - while maintaining a consistent theme across the family of wines.

JOURNEY’S END TALES SERIES

The new look Tales Series range of wines, which were recently released, each have their own story to tell:

Weather Station Sauvignon Blanc 2018 is named after the ‘Weerstasie Kloon’ (Weather Station clone) in Stellenbosch where the SB11 Sauvignon Blanc clone was first propagated in the 1920s before a resurgence in the late 1970s.
Haystack Chardonnay 2018 is named after the age-old practice of planting wheat between the rows of vines, which encourages all the aphids and flies to land on the crop instead of the vines.
The Huntsman - Shiraz Mourvèdre Viognier 2017 is named after the original kennels the Gabb family found on their farm dating back to 1822, and where the Journey’s End winery now stands.
Pastor’s Blend - Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc 2018 pays homage to the Reverend from the local village of Sir Lowry’s Pass who regularly delivers Sunday communion at the foot of the Journey’s End vineyard.

All four of the Tales Series wines are available nationally retailing between R85 and R95 at select retail outlets and wine merchants.

JOURNEY’S END PRECISION SERIES

The Journey’s End Precision Series comprises three top tier wines. The Griffin (Syrah), Destination Chardonnay and Cape Doctor (Cabernet Sauvignon) will soon be released and will be available nationally, retailing between R260 and R300.

THE JOURNEY’S END STORY

The initial Journey’s End investment was made by Roger Gabb, who, at that time, was Founder and Managing Director of Western Wines. Following the sale of Western Wines to Constellation brands in 2006, the family turned their focus to their estate, Journey’s End. Upon taking the helm in 2007, Roger’s son Rollo has since invested further into the estate through vineyard plantings and purchases including the neighbouring Mount Rozier Estate along with 45 ha of prime, south-facing vineyards, and the building of a state-of-the-art 350-ton crush winery with a stunning tasting room and spacious terrace overlooking the nearby coast.

The very modern cellar provides cellar master Leon Esterhuizen and winemaker Mike Dawson with all they need to produce the highest-quality wines. The family’s philosophy is one of minimal interference winemaking allowing nature to run its course and using only the very best French oak to add a touch of complexity and sophistication.

The aim is to create top-quality wines that intricately integrate the tension between remaining true to the terroir and finding their own unique expression of it.

Recent years have seen the purchase of some excellent new vineyard sites and further plantings of Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Malbec and Petit Verdot. There is a buzz of excitement at the prospect of these varietals adding even further depth to the Journey’s End range of wines.

The stylish tasting centre, glassed on three sides, overlooks the barrel cellar and embraces the untrammelled beauty of the panoramic vista. The décor is elegantly minimalist and chic, and the centre spills out onto a spacious terrace, offering spectacular views of mountains, vineyards and False Bay, all the way across to Cape Point.

Plans for the future include the installation of bottling facilities and the building of a warehouse, barrel store and special venue for private tastings.

USING INNOVATION TO STAY AHEAD

Comments Rollo Gabb, Managing Director, Journey’s End, “In addition to the new branding, we have also been very busy in the vineyard and winery focusing on new innovations. In the winery, we have recently introduced Amphora Pots and a concrete egg to give a different structure and mouthfeel to some of our wines. We are also employing innovative methods with wasted grape stalks, which are mixed with chicken manure, hay and lime to form a fermented compost. This emulsion is then used on new vineyard plantings and has enabled our team to plant one of the highest blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon in the Stellenbosch wine appellation.

I believe we were also one of the first South African wineries to utilise drone technology in the vineyards. We use drones to survey vineyard blocks which gather and incorporate data such as heat and sunlight, density of soil, drainage of water, shaded areas, topographies. When combined these give an indication of strong and weak points of vineyard blocks helping us to micro-manage our vineyards. We were also the 2nd wine producer in South Africa to convert to solar energy in 2014.”

COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY, ETHICAL PRODUCTION AND SOCIAL REPONSIBILITY

The Gabbs are committed to being environmentally sustainable and socially responsible. Those behind Journey’s End have a keen eye on the sustainable and ethical production of their premium wine. There is a tangible and deep respect for the environment, clearly apparent in farming practices that are integrated as closely to nature as is possible. We farm sustainably or biodynamically across all our vineyards. Lupins and wheat worked into our vineyard programme. Siting our vineyards in an area which benefits from the Cape Doctor winds has been a great help, as it blows away fungal problems naturally thus meaning the need for spraying is very minimal. And we love the area’s wildlife, recently setting aside 15ha to conserve and re-introduce indigenous wildlife and plant life species. We are extremely vigilant with water conservation and supply.

ACCREDITATIONS

WIETA accredited since 2013
HACCP Accredited since 2014
BWI – (Biodiversity + Wine Initiative) accredited since 2013, with 15 ha dedicated to conservation
IPW accredited since 2013 - Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) is a voluntary environmental sustainability scheme
GOING GREEN Journey’s End were the 2nd wine producer in SA to convert to solar energy in 2014
PIWOSA Women In Wine initiative, sponsoring underprivileged candidates through wine education to create and improve job opportunities in the wine industry
Fairtrade Accreditation in April 2017 – and now working towards ISO 22000
IFS accredited since February 2019

RECREATING NATURE’S GARDEN

Caspar Gabb (Rollo Gabb’s brother), gold medal and “Best in Show” winner at the 2006 Chelsea Flower Show and current Flower Show Judge for the Royal Horticultural Society, has developed a conservation and ecosystem renewal project for the Schaapenberg hills that respects the original flora and fauna of the area, restoring the unique natural habitat of the hills by removing invasive alien species and promoting indigenous ones. It will combine supported natural regeneration with horticultural restoration. A natural firebreak will be created to protect the vineyards and the local township. New floating wetlands will increase aquatic biodiversity, improve water quality and create a habitat for water birds.

THE BIRDS... As the habitat returns to its original state, there will be an increase in the area’s indigenous fauna. Caspar Gabb believes “our job is only done when key species take up residence and breed successfully.”

...AND THE BEES… Bees are an essential part of the pollination of the vines. There are 40 hives around the vineyards that house the little bee army which is so vital to the production of grapes. The improved natural habitat will benefit bee and vine alike.

OWL BOXES on the farm provide rest for the resident Spotted Eagle Owls.

THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

“We focus a lot of our energy on uplifting the local village of Sir Lowry’s Pass. Our main vehicle for channeling resources into the community is the local church and we work closely with Pastors Johnny Clink and Leister Allies to improve conditions and opportunities. We run soup kitchens and pensioners lunches. In addition, we have built the school a new hall, provide music lessons and have 5 full-time employees working towards the eradication of bullying”, SAYS Rollo Gabb.

VISIT JOURNEY’S END VINEYARDS

Tasting and sales by appointment: Monday Friday: 10h00 - 17h00
BYO picnic, walks, hikes, MTB and horse-riding
The floating lapa on the dam is also very popular for tastings, sundowners, swimming, fishing and stargazing.

The Journey’s End Trebuchet

Journey’s End’s magnificent Trebuchet is not to be missed. You’ll battle not to have fun at Journey’s End watching their 42-foot tall, 12-ton medieval siege weapon in action – hurling missiles across the field and providing great excitement and entertainment. 3 140-foot tall Douglas Fir trees were felled at the Dudmaston Estate in Shropshire, UK. The mammoth lumber was then assembled to produce a marvellous Trebuchet. This magnificent machine provided the Gabb family and friends in the UK with so much fun and enjoyment that they decided to disassemble and pack her into a 40ft container and ship her to Journey’s End Vineyards. While the Trebuchet is a grand attraction for visitors, it also provides a huge amount of excitement for the local community of Sir Lowry’s Pass Village and is used to raise funds for Journey’s End’s Community Project. Come for a visit and you may even see her in action! Follow the link below for more info and to see the Trebuchet in action!
www.journeysend.co.za/our-trebuchet/

Journey’s End Vineyards, Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, Somerset West 7130
Tel: 021 858 1929 · Email: info@Journeysend.co.za
www.journeysend.co.za · www.facebook.com/journeysendwines
Twitter: @JourneysEndWine · Instagram: @journeysendwines