Uva Mira: A Dream on 127 Hectares

Today we take it easy and share an article by Richard Holmes from the Stellenbosch Visio magazine. He paints a picture of one of our most cherished partner wineries far more beautifully than we ever could. Thus, the decision was simple.

However, what is not mentioned is how sustainability impressed us during our recent visit, particularly the charging stations where visitors can charge their vehicles for free. It’s unfortunate that we aren’t yet driving electrically here at the Cape...

This week, you can find currently available Uva Mira wines at special prices in the shop (valid April 20-27).

Uva Mira's winemaker Christiaan Coetzee

In his cellar on the upper slopes of Helderberg, winemaker Christiaan Coetzee from Uva Mira possesses a fine sense of the landscape's subtleties.

From the north-facing slopes of Helderberg, the vineyards below present themselves as a patchwork quilt of muted greens. Here, a parcel lies fallow, sown with cover crops to let the soil recover. On a windy slope, precise rows await the new Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon vines to be planted soon.

On the other side of the valley, a slope scattered with stakes unveils itself as a vineyard, Stok-by-Paaltjie (also known as Échalas or stake vines), planted with Syrah. These steep slopes could easily belong to the northern Rhône. Lower down, next to Uva Mira’s cellar, the trellised vineyards spread gently along a rolling slope, with tidy rows only interrupted by a majestic candlewood tree that has become a trademark of this exceptional Stellenbosch winery.

Christiaan Coetzee knows every inch of this estate and channels the character of this winery in a cool climate, making Uva Mira wines sought after worldwide.

Uva Mira's 27 hectares of vineyards are spread across a farm totaling 127 hectares on the northern slopes of Helderberg, showcasing a remarkable diversity of terroirs, whose numerous aspects may easily escape the untrained eye.

These variations in the vineyards may be subtle, but for Christiaan they are threads waiting to be woven into each new wine. The fabric that represents Uva Mira’s style.

Take the Chardonnay vineyard that extends from the cellar, for instance. Here, meticulously trellised blocks rise gently over the slope, some directed slightly inland, others facing the ocean. It’s indeed a vineyard, yet each row, almost every vine brings its own character into the cellar.

"I select only based on taste," explains Christiaan, who is celebrating his tenth vintage at Uva Mira in 2022. "When you enter this vineyard during harvest, you can taste the different flavor profiles. Thus, we harvest at different times, depending on when the grapes are phenomenally ripe."

While the parcels are vinified individually, some with natural wild yeasts and others with malolactic fermentation, for Christiaan it’s always about balancing terroir and consistency.

"The vineyard provides us with the character, and we want to enhance what the vineyard brings. Thus, the wines are crafted to reflect the location while aligning with Uva Mira’s style," he adds. "It is crucial that the style of the wine remains consistent. 90% comes from the vineyard and 10% from the cellar. But it’s the 10% in the cellar that truly elevates the wines."

Elevate is an apt word, for it is the unique location of the winery on the slopes of Helderberg that defines Uva Mira’s terroir. The farm gates stand at 250 meters above sea level, while the highest vineyards are planted at around 500 meters. By combining this altitude with the cooling breezes from the Atlantic Ocean just 9 kilometers away, a truly unique location for producing cool-climate wines is achieved.

This is not just marketing speak. The Winkler Index categorizes wine-growing regions into five major climatic areas, with Uva Mira falling into the second category, signifying a region with a cool climate.

The Wines of Uva Mira

The nuances of the landscape also shape the estate's red wines. Make sure to notice the Cabernet Franc vineyards lining the path to the tasting room during your visit. The vineyards on the cooler southwestern slopes provide the fruit for “The Dance Cabernet Franc”, while the northeastern parcels are usually blended into the flagship “Uva Mira O.T.V.”

"As the O.T.V. is dominated by Cabernet Franc, we strive for more body and richness on the palate with the blend," Christiaan clarifies. "Conversely, with the single varietal Cabernet Franc, we pursue a more elegant flavor profile featuring dark fruits and floral notes."

There’s a duality with the Syrah bottlings too, with both Mira Shiraz and D.W. Syrah reflecting both the old and new worlds of the winery.

The intention to leverage the landscape's strength is also behind Uva Mira's replanting program, subtly reshaping the vineyards. The previously admired Échalas vines - planted on flat Table Mountain sandstone - are part of viticulturist Hilton Phipson's effort to enhance vineyard longevity. "It’s far more labor-intensive to harvest and costly to plant, but we want our vineyards to stay in the ground longer," states Christiaan, impressed by the innovative “Old Vine Project”.

"Of course, one can argue about the quality of older vines," he continues, "but from a financial perspective, it absolutely makes sense. If you can get just five more years from a vine, it makes a big difference for sustainability." We are fortunate to have an owner who recognizes our vision to produce the world’s best wines and is supportive of our efforts.

Uva Mira currently produces three different Chardonnays, with the Mira regarded as an accessible, competitively priced Chardonnay distinguished by its exceptional quality. "It’s a very modern, very refreshing wine style," Christiaan asserts. "Many don’t drink Chardonnay due to the big, buttery styles of the past. The Mira showcases pure fruit alongside freshness, and is an excellent introduction to our Chardonnay."

The “Single Tree” is next in the portfolio, crafted in a richer style, making it ideal for the kitchen, while the “Uva Mira Icon” is the purest expression of the estate’s renown for world-class Chardonnay.

"For me, this represents Chardonnay, and that's what Uva Mira is. It boasts elegance and endurance. The wine showcases beautiful clarity, complexity, and structure. What unites all the wines is their cool-climate character that runs throughout the entire Uva Mira portfolio."