Looking for a new range of wine to cradle next to your fireplace this winter? Our wine of the month is Kleine Zalze. Here's everything you need to know, pairing guide in tow.
The folks at Kleine Zalze pride themselves on purveying and serving award-winning wines in a pretty-as-a-postcard setting – rolling mountains and oak-shaded terrace included.
Award-winning winemakers
Their continuous attention to detail, from selecting varieties and clones specifically suited to the various soils and slopes to careful management of the farm’s extensive natural assets, explains how they clean up at award shows.
In 2020, Kleine Zale were named Top Performing Winery of the Year by Platter’s South African wine guide, arguably the most comprehensive guide to South African wine in the world. And in 2022, they bagged four Double Golds and the Best Achiever award at the highly acclaimed Veritas Awards.
The estate produces four ranges, which include diverse varietals from Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz to Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. Recently, they added two new Cap Classiques to their incredible collection of bubblies.
Our Kleine Zalze Pairing Guide
The Vineyard Selection:
This range offers wines with expressive flavours, complexity, structure, and cellaring potential. A great glass of wine to savour on its own or excellent partnered with food.
We love pairing the Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay with creamy chicken or pork dishes, flaky fish, and rich seafood (especially white crabmeat and lobster). As for the Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Sauvignon Blanc, green salads, fried vegetables, and cured olives go beautifully as starters.
You can't go wrong with Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Shiraz 2016 paired with delectable braised beef or a good ol' hamburger – wagyu, of course.
The Cellar Selection:
If you're after accessible, fruit-driven red, white, and rosé wines meant for easy everyday sipping, this is the range for you.
The Kleine Zalze Cellar Selection Pinotage pairs well with almost anything off the grill. Lamb, pork chops, steak, ribs, goat, burgers, venison… Even slightly sweet and spicy marinated meat will match its tannic, rustic and fruity profile.
As for the Kleine Zalze Cellar Selection Merlot, it's best served with chicken and other light meats, as well as lightly-spiced dark meats and roasted vegetables for good measure
We LOVE the Kleine Zalze Cellar MCC Rose 2021 with brie and prosciutto or smoked salmon. chocolate and raspberries. And if you're feeling like going all out, the only thing better than chocolate and berries is chocolate-covered berries.
The Family Reserve:
These are Kleine Zalze's flagship wines. The grapes for these babies are selected from exceptional single vineyards with a track record of delivering extraordinary grapes. Only the best oak barrels are used for maturation and special attention is given throughout the wine making process. Family Reserve wines are timeless, classic, and elegant with linear structure and cultivar specific fruit vibrancy. Quantities are limited.
The Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon goes stunningly with nearly all red meat, including prime rib, New York strip, and filet mignon. Also try lamb or pepper-crusted tuna. We also recommend using it while you cook, in sauces or reductions and in a big glass for you.
The Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2022 goes exceptionally well with oyster, clams, lobster, crab, prawns, and scallops.
Check out their tastings
Kleine Zalze wines have made their mark at local and international competitions winning a slew of awards, five stars, and gold medals. Enjoy the fruits of their finesse in their cosy tasting room or outside on the terrace, with views of Stellenbosch's breathtaking mountain range.
- Family Reserve Tasting The flagship range of exceptional single-vineyard wines: R160 for 4 wines
- Vineyard Selection Tasting A range made from carefully selected and farmed vines: R60 for 3 wines; R100 for 5 wines
- Cellar Selection Tasting The accessible, easy-drinking range of reds, whites and rosé R45 for 3 wines; R75 for 5 wines
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 9am – 6pm (last tasting at 5pm)
Sunday, 11am – 6pm (including public holidays)
After your wine-tasting, grab lunch at the Kleine Zalze restaurant. The menu features a selection of plats du jour as well as made-for-sharing tapas plates.
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 12pm – 3.30pm (à la carte)
Sunday, 12pm – 3.30pm (set menu)
Address Strand Road, De Zalze Golf Estate, Stellenbosch
SHOP OUR ENTIRE KLEINE ZALZE RANGE HERE.