South Africa’s most attractive towns are those found off the beaten track. They are uncomplicated, quaint and peaceful. Their streets are usually broad and often unpaved. The historic buildings still stand proudly with the Kerk being the focal point. One such village is McGregor.
Nestled in the picturesque Breede River Valley, McGregor lies on a byroad of another byroad road and so peace and tranquillity are assured. The McGregor area, named after the Scottish pastoral poet Reverend Andrew McGregor, was established in 1861. This charming village, situated at the foothills of the Riviersonderend Mountains quickly became a fertile ground for agricultural pursuits, particularly viticulture.
McGregor Winery
McGregor Winery’s journey began in 1948, spearheaded by a group of visionary farmers who recognized the region’s potential for producing exceptional wines. They pooled resources and expertise to create a cooperative that could harness the unique terroir of the Breede River Valley. This collaborative spirit has been the cornerstone of McGregor Winery’s success, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose that continues to this day. Today there are 20 farms each planted with vines to suite their unique terroir. McGregor Winery is the only big scale winery in the McGregor Wine of Origin region
The terroir of this region is distinct and multifaceted, contributing to the winery’s diverse wine portfolio. The area enjoys a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, ideal for grape growing. The varied soil types, ranging from fertile alluvial soils to well-drained sandstone, provide a perfect foundation for cultivating a range of grape varieties. This unique combination of climate and soil imparts a remarkable depth and complexity to the wines produced here.
The average age of the vineyards are about 15 years with the average yield between 12 and 15 tons per hectare.
The team at McGregor Winery is a dedicated group of professionals who bring passion and expertise to every bottle. Led by winemaker Prieur Du Plessis, whose innovative approach and deep respect for tradition have elevated the winery’s profile, the team meticulously tends to the vineyards and oversees the winemaking process. Their commitment to sustainability and quality is evident in every aspect of their work, from vineyard management to the final product.
Their viticulturist, Jaco Lategan, is responsible for looking after their grapes, and he only selects the best as they come in to get top quality wines.
A visit to their tasting room is a must if you consider yourself to be an intrepid traveller as you can look forward to sampling their range of wines. This must-do activity in McGregor also offers guests the unique opportunity to enjoy wine and ice-cream tastings as well!
McGregor Wines
McGregor Winery produces a variety of wines that capture the essence of the region. Their offerings include reds – Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage and whites – Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. There is also a range of blends and the cream of the crop are their two Terroir Selection wines – a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir.
Wine drinking is more often than not a social event where a good bottle is shared at dinner with family or on an outing with friends.
I decided to do the opposite when enjoying McGregor Winery’s Terroir Selection. On consecutive Sunday afternoons, when my kids were out and I had time to myself. I quaffed first the Pinot Noir and then a week later, the Chardonnay.
Terroir Selection Pinot Noir 2022
As I enjoy cooking and I prepared a meal specifically to pair with each wine. Pinot Noir is generally very versatile and pairs well with a host of dishes but on this occasion I prepared some fat and juicy lamb chops, grilled till the fatty rim was crisp, with a fresh garden salad and some unpeeled, salted and brownly roasted potatoes.
According to the McGregor Wines website these grapes are grown in the red limestone of the Riviersonderend Mountains and produce fresh, light red fruit notes like red cherry with a hint of minerality from the soil. The red fruit was obvious on the nose and the pallet.
This Pinot Noir is produced from hand selected grapes, and very lightly wooded in 4th filled barrels.
The result is a light and refreshing wine that, when chilled to just below room temperature, complemented the rich lamb, salty potatoes and juicy salad to perfection.
Terroir Selection Chardonnay 2023
The following week was particularly busy with out of town traveling and some hectic deadlines. A peaceful Sunday was a blessing. As a result I wanted an easy to prepare dish and decided on a rich and creamy Alfredo Sauce to top off some Fettuccine from my favourite Italian deli.
I uncorked a bottle of chilled Terroir Selection Chardonnay, filled my glass and placed the bottle in an ice bucket. Sitting on the veranda I contemplated the successful week. With my stomach now hinting at lunch I took my glass and bucket to the kitchen and sipped away while stirring the Alfredo Sauce.
I referred to the website’s tasting notes and found that the grapes are harvested early in the morning and the juices are kept for a limited time on the fine lease. The result is a natural minerality and lightly oaked finish that was obvious on the palate too.
Ther website adds, “the vineyards stand in red limestone soils, with a north-south row direction, to gain optimum flavours for our full premium selected Chardonnay, this wine delivers a fresh minerality with a smooth full finish.”
The crispness and freshness of this butter smooth Chardonnay enhanced the rich and creamy pasta dish and the nap on my couch was the perfect way to end my meal.
Contact Details
Tel: +27 (0) 23-626 1160 or E-mail: info@roodezandt.co.za. The tasting room is open Mon – Fri: 9am – 5pm and on Sat: 9am – 2pm. Find them at Langverwagten Road, McGregor or on Google Maps. Order their wines online here.
Instagram: @mcgregorwinery
