Winemaker Notes
Kara-Tara Pinot Noir is a new joint-venture between Rudger van Wyk (2018 Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year) and José Conde of Stark-Condé Wines.
The name Kara-Tara refers to a small town near Knysna, where winemaker Rudger van Wyk grew up. Translated from the traditional Khoisan, it means "deep dark shadows" and refers to the Karatara river that runs through the town.
Grapes are sourced from carefully-selected premium vineyards in the Elgin region. An elegant, lightly-wooded style of Pinot Noir showing classic strawberry and red cherry notes coupled with a hint of spice. A firm, yet silky-smooth tannin-structure supports the lovely bright fruit characteristics of the wine.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
This high-elevation, cool-climate district, nestled into the ancient sandstone Hottentots Holland Mountains, traditionally was apple orchard land. Today Elgin is also a source of exceptional Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc and Pinot noir.