Overview

Domaine Coutelier aspires to create elegant classical wines with a Gallic flair from African Sunshine and the sea breezes of The Cape of Good Hope’s coastal region. Domaine Coutelier’s first vintage from the 2012 harvest consists of a Merlot, a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Bordeaux style blend with possibly a barrel selection of the aforementioned, all produced from grapes grown on Domaine Coutelier's farm in the heart of the Devon Valley in Stellenbosch and currently maturing in barrel (at the time of writing). These ambitious reds are complimented by a lightly oaked Chardonnay from excellent quality Chardonnay grapes grown on the slopes of Durbanville and acquired by Domaine Coutelier before vinification in a traditional barrel fermented style. Not forgetting a very special MCC (Floriane's originating from the Champagne area of France) of an even split of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir exposed to a very small amount of oak. 2013 promises the same combination with the additional of a sparky Rose “Here comes the Sun” to be available for the Summer 2013. Completion of Domaine Coutelier's tasting facility will be completed in the latter part of 2013 and while it will be by appointment only, wine enthusiasts and the general public will be welcomed with open arms by an enthusiastic proprietor. A Micro-winery is planned for early 2014 (subject to approvals) and a slightly larger one for 2016. Traditional French Oak will be a major feature of the wines. In the case of the whites, the wines will barrel fermented and aged for 8 to 10 months on 100% Oak: between 30% and 50% new and the rest second fills. For the reds, open fermenters will be used for maximum extraction and then barrelled for MLF and 18 to 36 months maturation. Depending on the Cultivar. Between 40% to 60 % New Oak with some 100% Oak barrel selection production.