South African venture sourcing Western Cape grapes for a Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc blend fermented in steel and French oak.
The producer
Escapade Winery was created by winemakers Evangelos Gerovassiliou and Vassilis Tsaktsarlis with vintner and marketer Takis Soldatos. The venture began small scale experiments in 2006 and sources grapes from chosen vineyards across the Western Cape. Its range includes Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage Rosé, Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Malbec. Escapades Semillon Sauvignon Blanc combines old vine Sémillon with mountain top Sauvignon Blanc, using stainless steel for the Sauvignon Blanc and new French oak for the Sémillon.
Known for
Western Cape Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc
Notable facts
Escapade was created by Evangelos Gerovassiliou, Vassilis Tsaktsarlis and Takis Soldatos.
The founders began small scale experiments in 2006.
Escapade sources grapes from chosen vineyards across the Western Cape.
In 2006, Evangelos Gerovassiliou, Vassilis Tsaktsarlis and Takis Soldatos began experimenting on a small scale. They had already named the venture Escapades, after Soldatos's inspirational trips with the two winemakers through the world's vineyards. The experiment proved successful. Grapes for Escapades came from chosen vineyards across the Western Cape, with a recurring group forming the base and other sources added for the characteristics sought in each wine. Incoming grapes were carefully assessed, and only the best qualified for the wines.
From the atlas
Escapade Winery
A South African venture sourcing grapes across the Western Cape, with a white blend that joins old vine Sémillon to mountain top Sauvignon Blanc.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Country
South Africa
Grape range
Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Malbec
Named white
Escapades Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard source
Chosen vineyards across the Western Cape
Cellar approach
Stainless steel and French oak
The Producer
Three friends gave the venture its name. Evangelos Gerovassiliou and Vassilis Tsaktsarlis, both winemakers, joined Takis Soldatos, a vintner and marketer, and christened it Escapades. The company name is Escapade Winery (Pty) Ltd.
Escapade began small scale experimentation in 2006. Grapes come from chosen vineyards across the Western Cape, with a recurring group forming the base and additional sources added according to the characteristics sought in each wine. Incoming grapes are carefully assessed, and only the best qualify for the wines.
Chris Kelly is a New Zealand born winemaker with 20 years of experience in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and South Africa. The winery uses modern equipment and French oak barrels.
Place
Stellenbosch receives cool Atlantic winds from False Bay, giving the vineyards natural cooling during the growing season. Franschhoek combines steep mountain slopes with vineyards in the valley, and weathered granite soils mark the area. Sémillon and Pinotage thrive in these conditions.
Durbanville is a cool climate area with mainly well drained shale soils. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon suit these conditions, giving the white grape varieties a clear place within the Western Cape range.
Wines
The range includes Sémillon, Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Malbec and Pinotage. Escapades Semillon Sauvignon Blanc is the named white blend.
The blend uses 70% Sémillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc. Old vine Sémillon is combined with Sauvignon Blanc from mountain top vineyards. The grapes are hand sorted, destemmed and gently pressed. Sauvignon Blanc is cool fermented in stainless steel to preserve freshness, while Sémillon ferments for six weeks in new 225 litre French oak barrels, adding richness and complexity.
The wine shows Cape gooseberry marmalade and flint aromas, melon and cashew flavours, and a long mineral finish. Its stated cellaring window is three to five years.
Final Word
Escapade Winery pairs a Western Cape vineyard supply base with a range of white, rosé and red wines, led by a Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc blend made through separate steel and oak fermentations.