Lutzville wines awarded at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge

Ward

Lutzville, together with Citrusdal Mountain and Citrusdal Valley, forms one of the three districts of the Olifants River region in the Western Cape, South Africa. It lies at the mouth of the Olifants River, close to the Atlantic coast, about 270 kilometres north of Cape Town. Unlike the more inland, mountainous Citrusdal districts, Lutzville benefits from its coastal proximity: cool south-westerly breezes off the nearby Atlantic temper hot, dry summers and widen the gap between day and night temperatures. The climate is semi-arid, making irrigation from the Olifants River necessary for viticulture. Soils are sandy and alluvial along the riverbanks, interspersed with gravelly pockets on the slopes, while land closer to the coast shows sandier, limestone-based profiles. Grapes grown here include Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinotage.

The wines of this appellation

Lutzville produces mainly white wines, led by Sauvignon Blanc alongside Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. These whites show marked mineral freshness, with citrus and white-fleshed fruit aromas and occasional herbaceous notes, carried by lively acidity shaped by ocean breezes and the wide day-night temperature swing. The reds, made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinotage, are supple and fruity in style, with moderate tannins and red and black fruit aromas. Being light on tannin, they are readily enjoyed young. Straightforward and approachable, these wines pair with fish, seafood and salads for the whites, and grilled meats, poultry and slow-cooked dishes for the reds.