"Our mission is to produce wines that are expressive and individual, employing artisanal, non-interventionist principles in the vinification process.

The guiding principle driving this process is that the wine-making must always respect the fruit."

- Wade Metzer, Winemaker
Metzer & Holfeld Family Wines

THE WINE

Cuvée's wine philosophy is centered around allowing the fruit's personality to shine through, rather than imposing our own predetermined vision onto the wine.

At each vineyard, the winemaker embraces imperfection as the true essence of beauty. Instead of striving for flawlessness, the focus is on crafting wines that authentically reflect the unique terroir and characteristics of each vintage. Nestled in the lower Helderberg region of Somerset West, the vineyards benefit from the harmonious influence of the nearby Helderberg mountain and the ocean just 5 kilometers away - a montane and maritime influence. This distinctive environment imparts our wines with a remarkable freshness and clarity that sets them apart.

Wade's winemaking philosophy is refreshingly simple. He believes in minimal intervention, allowing the natural essence of the fruit to take center stage. In the cellar, he refrains from adding commercial yeast, acid, or enzymes, and eschews mechanical interventions in favour of manual processes. By adhering to these principles, we ensure that every sip of our wine captures the true personality of the fruit and the unique terroir from which it originates.

Wade Metzer, Winemaker
Metzer & Holfeld Family Wines

THE TERROIR

For over three centuries, South Africa has been at the forefront of winemaking, tracing its viticultural roots back to 1659. Nestled within its ancient soils, some of the oldest recorded on the planet, lies a rich tapestry of tradition, innovation, and perseverance.

Taste the terroir of the Helderberg, where the majestic Table Mountain sandstone soils and the distinctive Koffieklip soil intertwine to shape the character of our Vinum Hereditas wines. The ancient Table Mountain sandstone soils, with their well-draining properties and mineral-rich composition, impart a unique complexity and minerality to our wines, reflecting the rugged beauty of the Western Cape region. Meanwhile, the Koffieklip soil, renowned for its rocky texture and excellent water retention capabilities, lends depth and structure to the vines, allowing them to thrive in this challenging yet rewarding environment.

Together, these distinct soil types form the foundation of our winemaking philosophy, enriching our wines with layers of flavor and a sense of place that is truly unparalleled. Experience the essence of South Africa in every sip of Vinum Hereditas, where terroir tells a story of resilience, passion, and unparalleled beauty.

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The essence of South Africa's vineyard success lies in its distinctive terroir, the amalgamation of environmental factors that shape the optimal conditions for crop cultivation. Terroir encompasses various elements, including soil composition, microclimate, and agricultural practices, all of which converge to influence the quality and character of the final product.

Blessed with a predominantly Mediterranean climate and framed by majestic mountains and the nearby ocean, South Africa's terroir offers a fertile ground for the cultivation of truly exceptional wines. Each region boasts its own unique terroir, fostering the growth of grape varietals perfectly suited to its specific environmental nuances.

In the esteemed Collection 'I' Vinum Hereditas, our wines hail from the revered Stellenbosch wine region, nestled in the embrace of the iconic Helderberg mountain and its terroir. Handpicked from three distinct single vineyards, these wines embody the diversity and richness of the terroirs within close proximity to one another, showcasing the intricate tapestry of South Africa's winemaking landscape.

HARNESSING NATURE
FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Bush vines, with their remarkable ability to endure decades without assistance, stand as stalwart champions of sustainability in viticulture. These resilient vines, rooted deeply in the earth, work in harmony with nature, requiring minimal intervention to thrive. By eschewing the need for artificial irrigation, bush vines contribute to water conservation efforts while also promoting soil health and biodiversity.

With the Vinum Hereditas Collection, we embrace the sustainable ethos of bush vine cultivation, recognizing their role in crafting wines of exceptional quality while respecting and preserving the delicate balance of our environment for generations to come.

SINGLE VINEYARD
SPLENDOUR

Perched just 5km from the ocean, this Syrah trellised vineyard on the slopes of the Helderberg mountain offers a breathtaking panorama of Table Mountain and False Bay.

Here, amidst this picturesque setting, these vines thrive under the gentle maritime influence of the ocean breeze, contributing to a magnificent freshness that is reflected in every glass of our wine. Managed sustainably and meticulously tended by Wade Metzer, this single vineyard is a testament to his commitment to quality and terroir-driven winemaking.

"The beauty lies in imperfection, we are not trying to make perfect wines from these vineyards but rather wines that the reflect the vineyard as well as the vintage."
- Wade Metzer

BORN TO CRUSH
GRAPES (GENTLY)

Wade's winemaking philosophy is refreshingly hands-on, quite literally. He believes in the power of manual intervention throughout the entire winemaking process, from meticulously managing the vineyard sites to personally shoveling skins by hand.

In the cellar, he eschews the use of commercial yeast, acid, or enzymes, opting instead for a tactile approach that relies on his own hands to craft the final product. By embracing this hands-on methodology, Wade ensures that every sip of our wine captures the true essence of the fruit and the unique terroir from which it originates.

A GREAT VINTAGE

The three wines of the Vinum Hereditas collection are all of the 2022 vintage, each embodying the unique character and terroir of the Helderberg region.

They encapsulate a year of cool and moderate weather conditions during harvest time, allowing for a gradual ripening process that nurtured exceptional flavour and colour in this year's wine grape crop. The ideal winter conditions preceding the harvest supplemented water reserves and fostered even growth, laying a solid foundation for the 2022 vintage.

Winter in the region was marked by mostly above-average cold units and frequent snowfall on the high-lying areas of the Cape Fold Mountains, contributing to the richness and complexity of the wines.

PROMISED CORK QUALITY

Unlike traditional closures, Diam ensures uniformity between bottles and precise control over permeability levels, allowing wines to evolve gracefully over time.

With their DIAMANT® process, each closure maintains sensorial neutrality, allowing the true character of the wine to shine through without interference.

Cuvée chooses to use Diam corks for the delicate balance of oxygen transfer, providing consistency throughout our wines journey. The decision to keep the original Diam logo on the cork without changes confirms this quality.