The Vilafonté Seriously Old Dirt 2022 is a Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend that captures the depth, character, and heritage of some of the Cape’s oldest soils. Sourced from Vilafonté’s estate vineyards and carefully selected sites across the Western Cape, this wine is a tribute to the land — powerful, expressive, and distinctly African in identity.
The nose is layered and inviting, with black cherry and blackberry at its core, complemented by warm notes of baking spice and vanilla pod. As the wine opens, more nuanced aromas emerge, including subtle liquorice, tobacco, and toasted hazelnut, adding a luxurious, complex dimension. On the palate, the wine is rich and polished, with concentrated dark fruit supported by silky tannins and balanced acidity. The structure is refined yet approachable, leading to a long, seamless finish that reflects both precision and place.
This is a versatile, premium red blend that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, lamb, slow-cooked dishes, and refined braai-style cuisine.
The nose is layered and inviting, with black cherry and blackberry at its core, complemented by warm notes of baking spice and vanilla pod. As the wine opens, more nuanced aromas emerge, including subtle liquorice, tobacco, and toasted hazelnut, adding a luxurious, complex dimension. On the palate, the wine is rich and polished, with concentrated dark fruit supported by silky tannins and balanced acidity. The structure is refined yet approachable, leading to a long, seamless finish that reflects both precision and place.
This is a versatile, premium red blend that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, lamb, slow-cooked dishes, and refined braai-style cuisine.
Fruit was sourced from Vilafonté’s estate vineyards and selected long-term partner sites, with each parcel harvested at optimal ripeness to ensure depth and balance. The grapes were hand sorted and fermented with careful extraction, preserving both fruit purity and structural integrity.
Following fermentation, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation and extended maturation in French oak barrels, allowing the tannins to soften while building layers of complexity and integration. Each component was then carefully blended to achieve harmony between power, elegance, and site expression.
Winemaker: Arlene Mains
Following fermentation, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation and extended maturation in French oak barrels, allowing the tannins to soften while building layers of complexity and integration. Each component was then carefully blended to achieve harmony between power, elegance, and site expression.
Winemaker: Arlene Mains
Vilafonté, located in the Paarl-Simonsberg region on the northern side of the Simonsberg Mountains, is the first American and South African joint wine-making venture. This groundbreaking red wine project is a partnership between a respected group of wine specialists from South Africa (Michael Ratcliffe) and the United States (Zelma Long and Phillip Freese).
