Franco Lourens grew up among the vines in Paarl, South Africa. After graduating from the University of Stellenbosch, he worked with the emblematic Chris Alheit, at the head of a family domain that made the country’s wines famous. Over the years, he fell in love with the wealth and diversity of terroirs, climates and grapes in the Western Cape. That was when he decided to establish his own business, his own wines reflecting this plurality of flavours and locations, spanning all the landscapes he encountered, from mountains to plains through rivers. Franco Lourens, who works mainly with old vines, has become the king of blending, producing rich, concentrated, perfectly balanced wines that are in great demand throughout the country. Today, he holds a rightful place among South Africa’s leading wine producers.

Grenache, also known as the southern Pinot Noir, thrives in South Africa's hot, dry climates perfect for viticulture. This means the vines benefit from unique care that also respects the soil and biodiversity. In the winery, vinification is performed with minimum intervention to allow the Grenache to release its full range of delicious aromas. Similarly, sulphur is restricted to minute quantities. The wine is then aged in old 500-litre casks for about ten months before being carefully bottled.
The ruby colour leads to an expressive nose characterised by red berry aromas such as raspberry and strawberry, combined with floral notes and hints of spice. The silky tannins strike a wonderful balance with the fine acidity and subtle aromas of red fruit, leading to a smooth, lingering finish.