Custom Crush facility launched by Jackson Wine Estates .. at Simonsvlei

Judging by the turn-out at the launch of the new Custom Crush Production facility, there seems to be a great need.
For smaller boutique producers it is massively costly to set up a cellar, so it is great to see the new state-of-the-art facility opening and making space for others to rent.  The facility was designed & put together at pace by seasoned Cellar Engineer Gerhard de Villiers, owner of Kleinood. Gerhard is well known for his cellar design and implementation.
The facility at Simonsvlei is kitted out & run by Jackson Wine Estates, and currently doing white wines only.

The first wine which will use this new cellar is the top end brand of Capensis, a joint venture between Barbara Banke and Antony Beck (son of Graham Beck), currently producing only top end Chardonnay  The wines are distributed to top end outlets and restaurants in the USA and also available in South Africa. The grapes are sourced from a farm high up on the Banhoek - called Fijnbosch.

Graham Weerts, winemaker at Jacksons Family Wines for 15 years already in the USA (ex DGB) is now being able to make wine twice a year, overseeing all their wine-making in the USA and here now for Capensis as well. 

We were lucky enough to taste through a few vintages of Capensis Chardonnays, which even included this year's freshly pressed juice! One of South Africa's priciest white wines at over R900 a bottle. 

Heading up the Custom Crush Cellar is Mario Damon, who has 20 years of extensive experience at DGB, so it is in good hands too.