LA Petite Ferme – the name translates simply as “the small farm” – in Franschhoek has over decades, grown and evolved into a memorable winelands destination that today includes a boutique hotel, an award-winning restaurant which serves country cuisine with a fresh contemporary touch, an acclaimed country restaurant and a celebrated winery that produces hand-crafted wines from its own small and intimate boutique style cellar, managed by La Petite Ferme’s talented winemaker, Wikus Pretorius.
Prior to joining La Petite Ferme in 2015, Pretorius worked for some of South Africa’s top wineries and estates in the premier wine regions of France, California and Australia.
The portfolio currently includes four white wines – Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and a pair of Chardonnays, alongside a rosé (from Grenache) and three varieties of reds consisting of (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz). The two flagship wines of the range are the Bordeaux style blend, called Verdict and one of Pretorius’s evolutions, the Variation – a Rhône-style red.
Pretorius has specifically chosen three wines to share and profile that are indicative of the diversity of the range – Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2022, La Petite Ferme Grenache Rosé 2023 and Verdict 2018 Bordeaux-style blend. The Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2022 and the La Petite Ferme Grenache Rosé 2023 are new vintage releases, and as the Verdict 2018 Bordeaux-style blend, an original blend created by the previous owners, is now being sold (the previous vintage sold out), it is also essentially a new release.
According to Pretorius, “While the blends aren’t exact every year, they do fall under the umbrella of a being a Rhône style blend and a Bordeaux style blend.”
- The Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2022 – the grapes for this vintage all from La Petite Ferme’s Franschhoek vineyards – reveals a fresh line of acidity that lingers throughout the dry elegant finish on the palate and the oak, like 2021, is very subtle; and citrus and lime notes with white pear on the nose.
- The 100% Grenache Noir Grenache Rosé 2023 shows beautiful aromas of strawberry candyfloss, and a palate of fresh and lively acidity with citrus and grapefruit notes.
- The Verdict 2018 Bordeaux-style blend, with 82% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, titillates with a violet and cherry perfume that leads into a broad palate of lively cassis fruit and chalky tannins full of energy and flavour. Enjoy it now or cellar it up to 2028.
The Franschhoek area is well known for producing exceptional top quality wines. A terroir that is famous for the subtlety yet full flavour that it delivers through each different cultivar. La Petite Ferme prides itself on a cellar which produces a remarkably diverse range of wines working with small volumes and adopting a handcrafted approach.
Wine tastings are by appointment.
La Petite Wines are available at selected retail outlets on the high street in Franschhoek as well as online through the La Petite Ferme website and prestigious Wine Club which is open to South Africans only at virtual cellar door prices (for registration click here).
- Enquiries/reservations: [email protected]
- Restaurant reservations: [email protected]
- Website: www.lapetiteferme.co.za
- Facebook: La Petite Ferme Franschhoek
- IG: @la_petiteferme
- Twitter: @la_petiteferme
- TikTok: @lapetitefermefranschhoek
- La Petite Ferme a member of The Nest
