Winemaker: Stephan Basson
Varietal(s): 100% Pinotage
Appellation: Coastal Region - Swartland
Age of vines: 25 years old
Soil type: Granite
Vinification: The grapes were handpicked with great care and destalked only. A 48 hour cold maceration period was given prior to fermentation to extract color and fruit. Skins were gently pressed after fermentation. Malolactic fermentation (MLF) took place in barrels. Once MLF was done, the wine spent a further 10 months French oak barrels.
Pairings: Lamb, bobotie and braaied red meat.

The Pinotage is dryland bushvines, planted on the highest south-east facing granite slopes on the farm. Due to its unique terroir, this vineyard ripens slowly over a very long period. This results in very dark color, soft tannins and good flavor compounds. The baboons normally harvest their quantity first and then the winery picks the rest! Dark red color, with ripe plums and mocha on the nose. Dark fruit followed by spice on the palate. A well balanced wine with smooth integrated tannins.

Babylon's Peak winery, situated on the highest weathered granite slopes of the Paardeberg Mountain, is privately owned by the Basson family who has passed down the tradition, passion and art of winemaking over four generations. Predominantly low-yield dryland bushvines are selected to produce these excellent wines with distinctive character. Babylon’s Peak is a private cellar located on the slopes of the Paardeberg Mountains between Malmesbury and Paarl. Four generations have farmed here, passing down their winemaking knowledge and passion through the ages. Current winemaker Stephan Basson joined his father in 2003 and started making wine under the Babylon’s Peak brand. Stephan is a passionate and warm-hearted family man. He has dedicated his life to the wine industry and keeping the Basson legacy alive through the range of characterful Babylon’s Peak wines.

The name Babylon’s Peak is derived from the very high granite peak on the farm, which is known to local people as ‘Babylonstoren’ (in English, ‘The Tower of Babylon’). Some of the highest vineyards in the Swartland region are found here at about 700 meters above sea level. The Paardeberg area is characterized by decomposed granite soils and unique terroir which result in optimum soil expression and fruit purity. All the grapes used for the wines are carefully selected and treated before the wine is made in the traditional way. Being a private cellar, they have the opportunity to select and bottle only the best quality wines.