Friday Night Wine School -Quality Over Quantity – The Preservation of the Old Vines of South Africa

Join us for our attendance-limited, signup-only Friday night tasting!  Tastings are held on the back patio with a max of 12 people per time slot.

The commercial lifespan of a vineyard is between 25 to 30 years on average. Although vines can produce for decades longer, yields get too sparse for economic viability after about 30 years. A combination of historical, economic and environmental factors have given the South African wine industry treasured old vineyards (ranging in age from 30 to 100 years), which produce distinctive, valuable wines in limited quantity. Initiatives like The Old Vine Project, and certification as a Heritage Vineyard (planted more than 35 years ago) have preserved these vineyards (over 10,600 acres so far). What’s more is that these vines grow in the oldest viticultural soils on the planet (around 700 million years old), and in many cases have survived as unirrigated bush vines (meaning even lower yields). Chenin Blanc makes up the most of these Heritage Vineyards, but historic South African varietals like Colombar, Cinsaut and Semillon have significant old vines too.  Join us for this in depth look and the how and why of the preservation and protection of these vineyards and the important role they play in the quality of the wine that's in your glass.

A good wine improves with age. Come see that a good vineyard does too.

-All ticket sales are final.
-We will hold our tastings outside on the patio from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM on Fridays weather permitting, if it rains we move inside to the back of the shop.
-Your $5 tasting fee is refunded when you purchase a bottle of wine from the tasting. Limit 1 refund per bottle per customer.
-Please arrive 5 minutes early for your time slot, as we may not be able to move you to another spot.
-No waiting in line for your taste of wine in a plastic cup and snippet of info. During your time slot, you will have the presenter's undivided attention as you learn about and taste the wines from Riedel glassware.
-When your tasting is over, you can browse and shop or enjoy a glass or bottle at our indoor and outdoor tables.