FORGED OF THE EARTH, TEMPERED BY THE SEA
The Vineyard
... is a remote stretch of land just 500m from the Atlantic Ocean. It also belong to the smallest ward in South African, Wine of Origin Bamboes Bay.
The Cellar
... is in an old crayfish which has a jetty over the ocean. Icy seawater is pumped into the cellar to cool the tanks during fermentation.
The Wines
... different from anything else you would find in South Africa.
Featured product
Grape Varieties:
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Origin:
The Bamboes Bay Sauvignon Blanc vineyards are located 500m from the ice cold Atlantic along the Cape West Coast. Planted in Hutton-type soil layered with limestone which extends deep into the earth. Bamboes Bay is South Africa's smallest demarcated wine ward.
Wine Making Method and Maturation:
The winemaking process at Fryer's Cove is based on minimal intervention, and the patience and restraint of this approach show in this terroir-driven Sauvignon Blanc.
It is wild fermented in clay pots and 225 L French Oak barrels, then aged for 8 months in 5th fill French oak barrels.
While it might prove impossible to resist, this age-worthy wine will continue to develop more depth and nuances with bottle maturation for up to 7 years from vintage.
Wine Tasting Notes:
On colour
Fryer’s Cove Hollebaksstrandfontein Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2022 would show a medium lemon colour, perhaps with a faint golden tint, reflecting some lees and oak maturation while still looking bright and youthful. The wine would appear clear and luminous in the glass, suggesting both concentration and freshness rather than heaviness.
On the nose
On the nose it is likely pronounced and complex, with an initial hit of lemon, lime and grapefruit peel layered over green fig, cape gooseberry and just‑ripe stone fruit. Wild fermentation, clay and older oak would add subtle notes of struck flint, wet chalk, yoghurt and gentle smoke, alongside a distinctive seashell, kelp and fynbos character that evokes the nearby Atlantic shore.
On the palate
On the palate the wine should be dry, medium‑bodied and textured, with high, saline‑edged acidity driving flavours of citrus, green fig, white peach and cape gooseberry. A creamy, slightly chalky mid‑palate from lees ageing and old oak is cut by a briny, kelp‑like minerality and herbal West Coast fynbos inflection, leading to a long, complex, bone‑dry finish with lingering citrus pith and sea‑spray notes.
On the whole
A concentrated, textural coastal Sauvignon Blanc, combining ripe citrus and green fig with creamy lees, chalky salinity and a long, kelp‑laced, Atlantic finish.
| Alcohol | 12.50% |
|---|---|
| Residual sugar | 2.9g/L |
| Acidity | 5.50g/L |
| Ph Level | 3.45 |
| Region | Bamboes Bay |
| Producer | Fryer's Cove |
Explore the full collection.
Meet the Winemaker: Liza
The serene, down-to-earth demeanour of Liza Goodwin,
winemaker at Fryer's Cove, is sure to stand her in good
stead on the remote, unspoilt Cape West Coast.
Liza grew up in a family of agriculturists, so it always felt like a
natural choice for her to pursue a career in winemaking. She
graduated with a diploma in Viticulture and Oenology from
Elsenburg College in 1994. Shortly thereafter she became the
first woman winemaker to be appointed at a Sauvignon Blanc
focused cellar in Durbanville, where she made award-winning
wines for two decades.
Her winemaking philosophy centres around minimal interven-
tion, and using what nature has provided in any given year to
tell a story about a particular vintage. No two harvests are
ever the same, and that is what keeps it fresh and exciting in
the cellar. “That is why I adore Sauvignon Blanc in particular,
because you never know what to expect from a new vintage –
nature and the vagaries of climate have a big influence on
what this grape will deliver every year. It is also a variety that
is capable of so many different flavour profiles and styles, the
possibilities are endless.”
The truly unique terroir of the Sauvignon Blanc planting at
Bamboes Bay, where Fryer's Cove is located, is
a winemaking prospect she found immensely
appealing. Liza's travels to Italy and the winemaking
regions of Verona and Campania provide valuable
context for her position at Fryer's Cove. “The Italian
producers' focus on small-batch winemaking and quality
made a lasting impression on me, and it resonates
with our approach at Fryer's Cove.”
When she is not making wine or tending to the vineyards,
Liza loves to explore the vast expanses of the West Coast
on foot or mountain bike. Her three children share her
love for the sea, and the family can often be found relaxing
on the beach with their dogs. She also enjoys quilting, and
a good cup of freshly brewed coffee, especially on those
chilly, misty oceanside mornings.
Looking for more options?
