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A wine display with the False bay backdrop [FNB Wines2Whales]

FNB Wines2Whales Wine Route – Journey’s End

By FNB Wines2Whales, 08/20/21, 4:45PM HST

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A wine setting with a mountain port view

Nestled in the Helderberg Basin, surrounded by an imposing range of peaks on three sides with False Bay across the plains to the south, Journey’s End is undoubtedly a fitting name for this fine estate.

A vineyard

Journey’s End is by no means the end for FNB Wines2Whales however. Located within the opening kilometers of the standard route and within the final 30 of the Switchback it is one of the farms which the event races through. Their wines are however a fitting way to celebrate any milestone.

The estate’s ethos is one driven by principles of conservation and corporate social responsibility. Not only did they start a food programme, under the Journey’s End Foundation banner, in 2020 but the farm also received WWF Conservation Champion status the following year. The same decomposed granite soils and the micro climate which provide Journey’s End with its unique terroir are also responsible for the evolution of endemic fynbos species. These, in turn, are visited by specialised insects and birds which can only exist in harmony with particular fynbos plants.

In honour of Journey’s End’s continued commitment to sustainable farming and conservation of their native fauna and flora the WWF recognised the estate with their Conservation Champion grade in early 2021. The commitment to sustainability does not end with organic matter, the estate has been run solely off solar energy, since 2014. Journey’s End is also WEITA (Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association) and IPW (Integrated Production of Wine) accredited, and the farm became fully Fairtrade certified from April 2017.

Their wines are made with progressive techniques, both in the vineyards and the cellar, by winemakers Leon Esterhuizen and Mike Dawson. One of Joureny’s End’s signature features is their use of amphorae and concrete eggs for fermentation. This results in a range of complex, classically elegant wines, which remain approachable and easy drinking.

Along with the estate’s Journey’s End range they also produce wines under the Mount Rozier, Identity and Gabb Family Vineyards labels. The farm is currently closed for wine tastings, but wines can be purchase online at www.journeysend.co.za/buy-now.

 

Journey’s End
Location: Journey’s End, Somerset West
Website: https://vergelegen.co.za
Opening Hours: Weekdays 08:30 to 16:00 and Weekends
A vineyard sunset