Dark, inky purple colour with some lighter ruby notes around the rim. On the nose, notes of coffee and vanilla from the oak ageing mix with fruit characters of plum, with a hint of dark chocolate. Intensely fruity on the palate, with mature plum, blackcurrant, blackberry and cassis, with some subtle spice. Supported by rich, ripe tannins and good acidity - pair with red meats, game and cheeses.
In 1994, South Africa took The High Road. South Africa changed for the better - after many years of segregation, the people of the country chose another route – that of democracy With Nelson Mandela as President, along with the guidance of F W de Klerk, the High Road was achieved. No longer is South Africa the ostracized state, now it is seen as the new beginning where nothing is impossible.
As a tribute to a peaceful transition to a democracy, Les Sweidan decided to produce a wine that reflected the new beginning of this great nation – he called it The High Road. Shortly thereafter Les was joined by Mike Church who shared his passion and vision. The quality that is encapsulated in the brand articulates the essence of The High Road wines styled after Bordeaux eminence.
Les started life in Aliwal North, a spot on the map in the North Eastern Cape, and later made his way to the more inviting Western Cape. Les’s primary business was providing short-term insurance solutions to the transport industry. The business was sold to Aon, the largest insurance brokers in the world, and he still consults to them to this day. The sale of this business afforded Les the opportunity to follow his dream of producing fine wines.
Nontsikelelo Biyela grew up as a young Zulu girl brewing traditional beer in rural South Africa. This Zulu woman's story is a remarkable one, spiced with talent, luck and a bit of coincidence. Biyela, who hails from the small village of Kwavuthela in the country's east, finished high school and took the only road open to so many poor black women, she became a domestic worker in the eastern port city of Durban. However, in 1999 her fortunes changed. Based on her final high school year results, she was offered a choice of three study bursaries — becoming a nurse, an electrical engineer or learning the art of making wine. Biyela said she just woke up one morning and decided that she was going to Stellenbosch University, one of the only tertiary institutions in the country that offers a winemaking degree and where she had been offered a study slot. Four years later, she walked out of University, degree in hand and a passion to last her a lifetime. Ntsiki (as she is fondly known) is South Africa’s Landbouweekblad Woman Winemaker of the year for 2009.
