Wine of the Week 66: “Written in the Stars” Mourvèdre 2024 by Erin Wines

In 2009 Ted Adam, a retired civil engineer, bought a small farm in Bot River as a place to store marine machinery used for harbour projects. But shortly after moving in, he discovered the land was anything but ordinary.

“It was heavily degraded by alien vegetation,” says Ted. “Over the past 15 years, we’ve focused on rehabilitation, clearing invasive trees, replanting indigenous species and allowing the ecosystem to recover.” Today the farm protects pockets of endangered Renosterveld and is home to rare plant species, birds of prey, reptiles, small mammals and the critically endangered micro frog.

“The vineyard and cellar were really established to support the farm,” says Ted. “The wines fund conservation.”

Father-and-son adventures

Called Erin Wines, the project is a father-and-son venture, with Brett joining his father to help bring it to life. And Brett is well suited to the task, with his background in exports.

Brett shares that the desire to support the South African wine industry during Covid led him to export South African wines to Sweden, where he lives. Now he returns to South Africa several times a year to grow Erin Wines, with the hope of eventually moving his family (wife and two children) back permanently.

The vines are organically farmed among fynbos and planted as field blends, both red and white. “It’s effectively a modern take on the old European monk’s garden,” says Brett. “Although, to be honest, we didn’t exactly plan it that way,” he adds with a laugh. “Our consultant mixed all the stokkies into random piles and said, ‘Plant these over there.’ So we did. Turns out we put chenin next to roussanne next to sauvignon next to who-knows-what. It shouldn’t really work, but it does. Nature’s funny like that, it can sort itself out.”

The red field blend wasn’t planned either. Ted planted two rows of sauvignon for himself as his drink of choice, and Brett said, “well, I want red,” so a row of red went in.

Only a third of the land may ever be developed, adds Brett, in order to preserve the delicate ecological balance on the farm.

Family and friends

The range currently consists of four wines: red and white field blends, a sauvignon blanc and a mourvèdre.

The sauvignon blanc, called Mr T’s Savvy Blanc 2024 is named in tribute for their 80kg boerbol “lapdog” who Brett describes as having had a severe case of resting dumb face. “Despite appearances, he was a loyal guardian, companion and beloved member of the family.”

The mourvèdre, meanwhile, was never meant to stand alone. “We didn’t set out to bottle it separately,” says Brett. “But it quickly made that decision for us.”

“We’re incredibly lucky to have Niels and Alice Verburg from Luddite Wines making the wine,” says Brett. “They’re hands-on and thoughtful.”

The tasting room, overlooking the dam that shelters the tiny micro frog, is open by appointment only. Along with enjoying the range of wines, guests can walk the vineyards, learn about the conservation work and hear stories of owls, frogs, snakes and bees, the latter which have even made an old truck among the vines their hive.

Erin ‘Written in the Stars’ Mourvèdre 2024

Dried violet florals and earthy savoury tones meet red-fruit succulence and brambly depth. Silky tannins support a medium-bodied palate refreshed with tangy acidity, while a subtle salinity adds mouth-watering lift. Only 250 bottles were made.
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