Wine Composition
100% Chenin Blanc
Winemakers Comments
Produced from 45 year old bush vines in Durbanville. Melon, citrus fruit, honey with a hint of cedar spice ( from terroiras well as barrel maturation ) is present on the nose. The mouthfeel is luscious and rich due to spontaneous malolactic fermentation and the mellowing effect of oak. A lingering aftertaste with vibrant acidity is the showcase of the natural concentration of old bush vine fruit. Will drink well now and for the next 6 years.
Awards
2018 | 4 STARS PLATTER’S (2016)
2019 | GOLD MEDAL – ORPHEUS AND
THE RAVEN SERIES (ROTOLABEL WINE
LABEL DESIGN AWARDS)
2019 | 4 STARS PLATTER’S (2017)
2020 | 4½ STARS PLATTER’S (2018)
Technical Analysis
Alcohol Percentage
13.18%
TA
5.9 g/l
pH
3.16
RS
1.7 g/l
Winemaker
Name - Etienne Louw
Winery
Orpheus & The Raven was conceptualized in 2015 by winemaker Etienne Louw and graphic designer Brenden Schwartz.
These friends recognized a creative fire in each other and decided to direct this passion to develop a wine brand that is not driven by sales volumes, market share or consumer insight, but by a pure expression of the love for fine wine and art. With nothing in their arsenal except the freedom to express, passion, creativity, energy, and a single wine vat, the pair started Vinoneers, the umbrella company for the brand Orpheus & The Raven, which now includes three wines.
The creative duo’s vision finds expression in wines and labels which introduce something refreshingly unique to the South African wine market. The range of wines do all express a sense of place and purpose, as confirmed by the tales that inform on their creation. And rather than purely using the label to convey information about the wine, Etienne and Brenden use the labels to tell the story of their personal journeys inspired by the Greek play Orpheus in the Underworld.
At its core, the play encourages the audience to never look back; appropriate advice to Etienne who was a chemical engineer before embarking on a career as winemaker. With this as its departure, Orpheus & The Raven was developed as alter-egos for the Vinoneers.
Etienne, also a classically trained musician, is represented by Orpheus with his lyre. Brenden’s alter-ego derives from his family crest, which depicts a raven. Ravens are known to be highly creative, cunning, with a witty kind of wisdom and bravery - constantly encouraging Orpheus to look ahead.
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