Baccō Estate: Wine-Tasting with a Super Tuscan Inspiration

You can almost taste Tuscany in the air as you drive up the avenue of young cypresses towards the tall red-brick buildings that house the Bacco cellar and wine-tasting lounge, their soaring arches evoking the region’s Renaissance architecture. Owner Nathan Jankelowitz found inspiration in the rule-breaking Super Tuscan wines of Italy when creating this wine estate outside Paarl (in the Simonsberg area, it’s a last stop on the Franschhoek Wine Tram route). The name Baccō comes from the Italian for Bacchus, Roman god of wine, a fitting tribute to his determination to create a South African expression of the Super Tuscan spirit.

Photo: Danie Nel

The luxury of time

Photo: Danie Nel

Building a new estate from the ground up requires time and unhurried patience. Nathan planted block upon block of Bordeaux and Italian varietals (including sangiovese and vermentino), and worked with Martin Smith as consultant cellarmaster to design state-of-the-art cellars with the latest energy-efficient technology. Their original wines are already scooping awards, in particular the Bacco Estate Red Blend. Now Martin and winemaker Julia Blaine have added two new signature wines as the sangiovese (first harvested in 2022) finally comes of age.

An ode to Chianti

Photo: Danie Nel

The new releases both have regal names: inspired by the opulence of Italian winemaking with a nod to Chianti, Il Principe is predominantly sangiovese with 18% cabernet sauvignon, while Il Sovrano is a full-bodied blend with sangiovese, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Both have ample scope for ageing. “Developing these two new wines has been an immensely rewarding journey,” says Julia. “From carefully nurturing the sangiovese vines, to experiencing the evolution of the wines in the cellar, and ultimately crafting the final blends, each stage has been a privilege.”

A tasting room with a view

Photo: Danie Nel

The high ceilings and chic interiors of the contemporary wine lounge spill out onto terraces with stunning views of the Paarl mountains. Embark on the full tasting flight of six wines, which takes you from the vermentino (or rolle) Bacio di Sole, through their rosé and chardonnay, all the way to the already renowned Bacco Estate Red Blend. Or explore a vertical tasting of the Prelude Red Blend. And don’t miss the quirky delights of a savoury cannoli pairing devised by chef Carla Jankelowitz, whose flavour-wielding wizardry is also behind the delicious lunch menu of cicchetti  (small plates). The adjoining restaurant and bar area features a glass wall looking into the immaculate cellar, and there’s a fireplace for cosy winter dining.

Cost R240 (6 wines); R320 (with cannoli pairing)
R90 (vertical tasting of 3 wines); R150 (with cannoli pairing)

Tuscan-inspired but with their feet firmly on South African soil, these are wines worth taking your time to discover, in unhurried and hospitable ease.

Opening times Daily, 11am – 4.30pm
Contact 063 296 2147, [email protected]
Where to find it Bacco Estate, Simonsvlei Road, Paarl
Book through DinePlan

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