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.