A textured, heritage Franschhoek white bursting with waxy citrus, white peach, and flinty mineral depth from vines planted in 1936.

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Pours a bright, pale straw with subtle golden flashes. On the nose, it opens with pure lemon zest, fresh lime, and crunchy white nectarine, followed by dried fynbos herbs, subtle white blossom, and that unmistakable old-vine Semillon signature of beeswax and lanolin.

On the palate, it delivers lovely weight and tactile grip without ever feeling heavy. Layers of ripe citrus and poached pear sit alongside a gentle savoury richness, all driven by a crisp seam of natural acidity. The finish is remarkably long, dry, and mouth-watering, leaving lingering notes of wet river stones, a dash of white pepper, and a distinctly saline mineral tang.

Food Pairings:

Old-vine Semillon has the textural breadth to take on serious dishes. It is brilliant alongside pan-fried Scottish sea trout with lemon butter, Arbroath smokie fishcakes, or a bowl of garlic-steamed mussels. If you prefer poultry or cheese, try it with roast chicken with lemon and thyme, pork cutlets with stewed apples, or a creamy goat’s cheese tart.

About the Producer

Old Road Wine Co. is based in Franschhoek, right in the historic heartland of South Africa's winelands. Founded by a passionate collective of wine veterans led by Tim Hutchinson the outfit takes its inspiration from the characters, stories, and tradespeople who walked the town's original main road and built its rich wine heritage.

Rather than chasing fleeting cellar trends or charging overinflated prices, Old Road Wine Co. focuses on honest craft, ethical farming, and championing prized pockets of older vines across the Western Cape. Their winemaking team, headed by Ryan Puttick, produces unpretentious, terroir-driven bottles made to be enjoyed around a bustling dinner table rather than left collecting dust on an ornamental shelf.

Rooted right in the historic heart of the Franschhoek Valley, Old Road Wine Co. makes wines that celebrate the local stories, forgotten trades, and rugged heritage vineyards of the Cape. The ‘Grand-Mère’ (French for grandmother) is their heartfelt tribute to the grand dames of the valley: ancient bush vines planted nearly nine decades ago that continue to thrive through sheer endurance and proper care. Rather than burying old-vine nuance under heavy-handed cellar tricks, the winemaking team keep things honest and hands-off, letting Franschhoek’s rich agricultural history speak clearly in every glass.

Vineyard & Winery

Viticulture & Terroir:

The fruit is sourced entirely from the famed La Colline single vineyard in Franschhoek, originally planted in 1936 and formally registered under South Africa’s Old Vine Project. Tucked onto the lower slopes of the Dassenberg mountain, these gnarled, un-trellised bush vines run deep into ancient weathered granite and sandstone soils. The vines naturally produce minuscule, intensely flavourful crops where thick skins yield vibrant aromatics, complex phenolic grip, and a marked saline minerality typical of the valley's cooler microclimate.

Winemaking & Maturation:

Grapes were harvested by hand in the cool morning hours and gently whole-bunch pressed. Fermentation took place spontaneously using indigenous wild yeasts to preserve pure vineyard character. The wine was aged on its fine lees for nine months, primarily in seasoned French oak barrels alongside roughly 15% matured in clay amphora to build tension, texture, and mouthfeel without oak dominance. Gentle bâtonnage (lees stirring) was carried out to enhance the natural creamy mid-palate. Bottled with minimal fining and filtration; suitable for vegans and vegetarians.