Dieu Donné Vineyards

Dieu Donnè Vineyards

 

BACKGROUND

Dieu Donnè Vineyards was acquired by the French-Mauritian, Robert Maingard in 1987, in search of his French roots in South Africa. This was three centuries after the first French Huguenots had settled in Franschhoek. They inherited a range of blended wines – all made and bottled in the Dieu Donnè self-contained winery. In 1988 an extensive replanting programme was embarked upon with Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and various Chardonnay clones replacing the old vines. 

 “Dieu Donnè” literally means “A Gift from God” or “God Given”. What a wonderful discovery! The spectacular mountain scenery viewed from Dieu Donnè Vineyards endorses this translation.

 CROIX DE LORRAINE – SYMBOL OF NON-CONFORMITY

Featured in the Dieu Donnè logo is the unique Croix de Lorraine with its distinctive double bars, a proud symbol which, through the ages, has been associated with a spirit of non-conformity – a spirit true to Dieu Donnè’s approach to wine-making. The fascinating origins of this cross date back to 1241, when the Crusaders brought the cross with them from Constantinople (now Istanbul) and kept it hidden in the castle of Baugè in Anjou, a province in the Loire Valley of Western France.

 

SETTING AND AMBIENCE:

 ‘The Gift of Perfect Conditions’

Dieu Donnè is situated high on the steep south-west facing slopes of the Franschhoek Mountains, which tempers the sun, ensuring slow ripening of the grapes. Thanks to the cool summer conditions and unique soil strata of Hutton and Clovelly soils from weathered granite with a rocky topsoil, the vines do not show excessive vigour, nor do they over-produce. These special soils do not get irrigated, further concentrating the flavours and characters of Dieu Donnè’s terroir in the grapes. These exceptional conditions give Dieu Donnè wines their special character.

 

 

The view from Dieu Donnè is well-known among those who wish to identify the famous landmarks of Franschhoek. The ROCA Restaurant was opened in 2007 and has become a popular Wedding and Function Venue over the years.

 

 

GREGORY SIEBRITS – WINEMAKER

 

Dieu Donne’s Winemaker, Gregory Siebrits, was born and raised in Franschhoek, and started working at  Dieu Donné when he was 21 years old, in June 1997, originally as a driver and general cellar worker for the farm, working his way up the ladder through the years.

Gregory’s philosophy is to make wine that can be enjoyed by amateur and connoisseur wine drinkers alike. He always aims to make wine resembling the terroir of the farm. A father of 4 and grandfather of 2, Gregory’s motto is to be satisfied at the end of each working day.

  

WINE MAKING DETAILS

Dieu Donnè has been making natural wines from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Viognier, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc for quite some time now. More recently though, Dieu Donnè has started producing a Methode Cap Classique (Bottle fermented sparkling wine. Gregory Siebrits has found the unique situation, altitude and soil on Dieu Donnè. This allows the grapes to produce a high natural acid, more reminiscant of European vineyards. High natural fruit acids being the mainstay to making great bottle fermented sparkling wines proved to be a natural progression to this style of wine. 

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