2016 Judges Best White: Journey’s End Destination Chardonnay 2014
The seeds of Journey’s End were sown in the mid-1990s when Roger Gabb established Western Wines which went on to become the largest importer of South African wines in Britain. Initially only 20 ha when purchased in 1995, it’s now grown to 120 with additional land purchases by his son, Rollo, now MD of Journey’s End.
The biggest upgrade has been in the vineyards where sustainable farming methods have seen quality steadily improved.
Winemaker Leon Esterhuizen and vineyard manager Lodewyk Retief agree that two things set Journey’s End apart: its location on the south-facing slopes of the Schapenberg facing False Bay with the Hottentots-Holland mountain at its rear and the cool southerly breezes which blow off the cold water, keeping pests and bugs at bay, restricting vegetative growth as well as cooling the vines during the heat of summer.
Visits can include jaw-dropping displays of the power of their medieval trebuchet. The Gabbs have been known to fling barrels and even small cars with their 12m tall siege engine on Trebuchet Day held in January every year.