Sometimes there’s more to a bottle of wine than what’s in the glass. Hartenberg’s Sacred Soil, a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc, takes its name from the Stellenbosch estate’s approach to regenerative farming, with a focus on improving soil health and giving back to the land rather than simply taking from it. The thinking is straightforward: healthy soil makes for healthy vines, better fruit and, hopefully, very good wine. Now that’s something worth raising a glass to.
Why we love it:
There’s plenty to get on board with here: juicy cassis, ripe plum and dark berries, followed by cedar, soft spice and a gentle touch of oak. Rich and velvety without feeling heavy, it has fine tannins, a lovely balance and a long finish of vanilla and spice. Match it with a well-marbled ribeye on the braai, slow-roasted leg of lamb or a hearty porcini mushroom stew, and you’ve got a very good dinner on your hands.
