In The Cellar @ our Winery
Our winery was designed to be practical, from receiving grapes through primary production processes to the bottling line and warehouse storage areas. An underground cellar was built into the mountainside to benefit from ideal conditions for wine maturation. It currently holds 2 500 assorted French and American oak barrels.
The first wines were made in 1988 using somewhat unorthodox facilities and equipment – as that year Chardonnay was made in insulated shipping containers fitted with air conditioning! These days modern cellar facilities and contemporary practises are in use to guide grapes to become complex yet elegantly distinctive wines. Nomblot eggs, assorted sizes of stainless-steel tanks, distinctive steam-bent oak barrels, two different presses, a sorting table and the option of small-batch whole bunch pressing, all provide an array of choices for the winemaking team to maximise each harvest
Johnnie Calitz Winemaker @ Glen Carlou
Johnnie’s devotion to his craft is not only highlighted by trophies, medals and awards, but more so by the sheer delight he exudes when a smile is raised as he sees his wines being enjoyed.
Johnnie has an experience rich background from which to draw on. His consumer and market insights round off an accomplished gentleman who we are thrilled to call Cellarmaster. He is equally comfortable talking with international buyers as he is with our diverse South African consumer base.
The interlinked frame of support within the winery is reflected by the way in which Johnnie and his team collaborate. He is ably assisted by Philip Theron, whose recognition as a recent Diners Club Young Winemaker finalist, reflects the mentorship extended by Johnnie. He guides his team, as he does the wines, to being the best they can be.
Integrity & Sustainability
Sustainable Wine South Africa (SWSA) is the alliance between the Wine and Spirit Board, the Integrated Production of Wine scheme and Wines of South Africa. Together they drive the South African wine industry’s commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly production. We are not only making better wine, but also making wine better.A certification seal is applied on each bottle once it has met the exacting requirements of the Wine and Spirit Board. This seal is a guarantee of origin, vintage and variety as stated on the label. It is an assurance that the wine complies with Integrated Production of Wine criteria.
Glen Carlou proudly has dual Integrated Production of Wine certification for both vineyard and winery practices.
