Aperitif Set "Häppli Hour"

Six Rosés, from delicate to expressive

The "Häppli Hour" aperitif set shows the wide range of South African rosé. The set ranges from a light, playful summer rosé to a serious, barrel-fermented food companion, and each wine comes from a different grape variety: Shiraz from the Cederberg, Pinotage, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Franc and a rosé from Simonsberg. Included are Lukas van Loggerenberg, one of the pioneers of serious Cape rosé, and the biodynamic Mourvèdre from Waterkloof in the style of the great rosés from Bandol. Ideal for a rosé comparison at the table, for mild evenings or as a gift for anyone who wants to rediscover rosé.

The six bottles in the set

• Cederberg Sustainable Shiraz Rosé 2025 From the Nieuwoudt family, who has lived in the Cederberg since 1893, from high-altitude vineyards with a cool climate and snow-capped mountains in winter. Pale salmon pink with copper reflections, rose petals and Turkish delight, a sweet and spicy interplay on the palate and a fresh pomegranate finish.
• Warwick The First Lady Rosé 2025 A tribute to Norma Ratcliffe, who is considered the "First Lady" of Cape viticulture. Single-variety Pinotage with only 11.5% alcohol. Peach, rose petals and raspberry, wild strawberry, blood orange and grapefruit on the palate, light and fresh.
• Van Loggerenberg Break a Leg Blanc de Noir 2024 The name recalls the first vintage in 2016, when Lukas van Loggerenberg seriously injured his knee shortly before harvest. On the advice of David Sadie, this rosé was created back then, today one of the most sought-after in the Cape. From Cinsault bush vines on the Helderberg, in the Provençal style: orange, potpourri, herbs and a fine saline note.
• Waterkloof Circumstance Cape Coral Mourvèdre Rosé 2023 From biodynamically cultivated, dry-farmed vines on the wind-swept Schapenberg high above False Bay. Pale salmon pink, pomegranate, raspberry and a distinctive flint note, silky and long. Tim Atkin 91 points, Gold at the Michelangelo Awards 2024.
• Rainbow's End Cabernet Franc Rosé 2024 From a family winery high above the Banghoek Valley, which has been known since 2005 for its single-variety Cabernet Franc. White blossoms, white stone fruit and pink grapefruit, dry, with subtle acidity and a hint of minerality.
• Tokara Rosé 2025 From the Tokara family winery on the Helshoogte Pass at Simonsberg, named after Thomas and Kara, the children of the founders. Fresh raspberry and strawberry, crisp and lively with juicy berry fruit.

At a glance: 6 bottles of 0.75 l each, rosé wine (still), South Africa, dry. Best served chilled at 8 to 10 degrees.

Vinification

• Cederberg Sustainable Shiraz Rosé 2025: 100% Shiraz from 22-year-old vines on sandstone soils. Hand-picked early in the morning, gently pressed at 8°C, around eight hours of skin contact, then lightly pressed. Two days of clarification, fermented with selected yeasts, unfiltered. Cederberg.
• Warwick The First Lady Rosé 2025: 100% Pinotage. Fermented in stainless steel, unfiltered. WO Western Cape (Warwick, Stellenbosch).
• Van Loggerenberg Break a Leg Blanc de Noir 2024: Cinsault from 1992-planted bush vines on weathered granite, which are cultivated solely for this wine. Three pickings: the first two fermented in old oak barrels, the ripest in stainless steel. Malolactic, around 8 months of aging. No enzymes, no cultured yeasts. Helderberg, Stellenbosch.
• Waterkloof Circumstance Cape Coral Mourvèdre Rosé 2023: 100% Mourvèdre, biodynamic, yield around 5 t/ha. Hand-picked, gently whole-bunch pressed in a basket press, no further skin contact. Spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts, predominantly in older wooden barrels, then on the lees. Schapenberg, Stellenbosch.
• Rainbow's End Cabernet Franc Rosé 2024: 100% Cabernet Franc from a plot of the winery selected specifically for rosé, picked specifically for freshness and clarity. Dry, unfiltered. Banghoek, Stellenbosch.
• Tokara Rosé 2025: From red Rhône varieties from the vineyards on Simonsberg. Dry, unfiltered. Stellenbosch.

Pairs with: Aperitif, grilled fish, prawns, tuna sushi, ceviche, summer salads, Caprese, chicken, pizza, tapas, bouillabaisse and mild evenings on the terrace.