CATHEDRAL CELLAR, the cherished KWV wine brand with stories, cuisine, and celebration at its core, invites you to join it in song and raise a toast to a beautiful year and the new melodies unfolding in their vineyards.
This melody is inspired by Cathedral Cellar’s unwavering belief that wine is a pure reflection of nature. Chief winemaker, Justin Corrans, describes his role as that of a conductor between vine and barrel, saying, “If the vine provides the sheet music, then wine becomes its song. As the vines crescendo towards a new vintage, we begin to unravel and appreciate the enchanting new melodies of the upcoming harvest and the exquisite wines embedded in its rhythms.”
This festive season, Cathedral Cellar chooses to weave the stories embedded in cherries into its celebratory message. The cherry, with its crimson red hue and succulent sweetness, mirrors the warm rays of summer and has become synonymous with the festive season. It’s a time when the connection with the colour red, symbolising love, courage, and romance, intertwines with the essence of the holidays and the great South African summer holiday it represents.
A beautiful metaphor for the winemaker and the vine can be found in the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers: hanami. The hanami festival celebrates the arrival of cherry blossoms in spring. Friends, family, and loved ones gather among the cherry trees to celebrate and reflect on their happy relationships. Notably, during this outdoor festival, people sing to the cherry trees – whose fleeting flowering display is seen as a symbol of the beautiful balance of life. Sakura Sakura (“cherry blossoms cherry blossoms”) is a traditional Japanese folk song that fills the air during this time – a gentle nod to hope, recognising because life is fragile it should be celebrated even more.
For those in tune with nature, like Cathedral Cellar’s viticultural and winemaking team, the fine melodies of nature are made tangible with the evolution of grape to wine. Each vintage reflects the year’s seasons, encapsulating the natural patterns and seasonal cultivation. December marks a pivotal change in the vineyard as the weather becomes warmer, and the grapes ripen. The vineyard team meticulously prepares for the harvest, and when the grapes are ripe, they are harvested and pressed. December is the time when the year’s promise becomes visible, the crucial crescendo to harvest begins and the melody of nature intensifies.
In Cathedral Cellar’s vineyards, the enduring beauty of nature is reflected in the bounty of each grape cluster. Much like the Japanese devotion to the cherry tree, the winemaking time is dedicated to the craft and the art of winemaking. “We nurture our vines, care for them through the seasons, and watch as they transform the elements into liquid song, captured in each bottle of Cathedral Cellar wine,” says Justin.
Each bottle of Cathedral Cellar wine reveals a different song, and you are invited to listen to each: the orchestral make-up includes the multiple-awarded Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc, Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay, Cathedral Cellar Shiraz, Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon, Cathedral Cellar Pinotage and the Cathedral Cellar Triptych (a red blend).
“Cathedral Cellar invites you to join us in song this festive season. The warm days provide ample opportunities to gather outside with loved ones and ‘sing along’ to nature. We are especially spoiled with holidays – particularly with the additional public holiday on the 15th of December, declared in honour of South Africa’s Rugby World Cup champions and the hope they inspired,” says Cathedral Cellar brand manager, Tanya Blokdyk.
To help food and wine lovers celebrate, Cathedral Cellar’s ambassador, chef Mynhardt Joubert, has created an al fresco feast to help a gathering of friends, family, and loved ones to reflect on their happy relationships. “I love the symbolism of the cherry and how devoted people become to this tree. In the Eastern Free State, where I am from, this devotion to cherries is just as palpable – a devotion that is akin to that of a winemaker and vine,” elaborates Mynhardt.
On December 25th, immerse yourself in a culinary symphony as Mynhardt orchestrates a spectacular feast complemented by the finest Cathedral Cellar wines. Set against the backdrop of the eponymous cellar in picturesque Paarl, this annual festive celebration promises an unforgettable day, encapsulating the true essence of the holiday season in a grand and memorable fashion.
Indulge in this extraordinary experience at R950 per person for adults and R650 for children. Secure your seat by emailing [email protected], or clicking here (navigate to “experience” and “KWV events”).
- Join the conversation on @KWV_CathedralCellar: #CheersToCathedralCellar #CathedralCellarCrescendo
