De Toren
De Toren - the private wine cellar that belongs to Emil and Sonette Den Dulk - is an irresistible invitation to indulge in every one of the five sensory delights: sight, sound, touch, aroma and especially the taste of its flagship wine, Fusion V. De Toren lies on the sun-drenched Polkadraai Hills overlooking False Bay, with the magnificent Stellenbosch Mountains as backdrop. The estate covers a total area of 26ha, of which 21,9 are under vines. The vineyards are broken up into the five red Bordeaux varietals, namely Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot that yield around 8 tons per hectare for the winery.
The estate huddles closely to the ocean - that explains why the five classic cultivars of Bordeaux thrive in these vineyards. The first impression of De Toren is of limitless, unfettered light scattered by playful breezes, but closer inspection reveals the strict man-imposed order underlying nature's extravagance.
Minute attention to the finest detail is evident, from the immaculate vineyards to the cellar's tower that not only gives De Toren its distinctive silhouette, but also ensures that its wine is made with gentle gravity and never has to experience the torture of harsh mechanical pumps. This attention to detail and the soft handling of the grapes form the inextricable core of De Toren's philosophy and success.
The concept of a gravity fed winery, basket pressing and hand harvesting of the five Bordeaux grape varieties could only be a winning formula. The system of a 4000 litre pressure tank in a lift shaft as a pump, hand sorting conveyors and a basket press has since been implemented to perfection on our farm and produces excellent, complex and well balanced wines.
The entire production cycle at De Toren Private Cellar has resulted in the wines becoming one of the first South African wines to qualify for IP (Integrated Production) certification. It is awarded by the Wine and Spirit Board and will serve as an environmentally friendly stamp of approval.
Producing South Africa 's first five varietal blend was a milestone in itself. The maiden batch of Fusion V, hit the international market towards the end of the year 2000 and has since gone onto win many awards and accolades.
Named after the unique five varietal blend, Fusion V is truly a labour of love where the likes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot are gently married to form a truly unique South African blend. Fusion V also marks a welcome return to the tried and tested traditional wine-making methods of the French masters. With old worldly passion and a new worldly commitment to quality, De Toren Private Cellar is, if you'll pardon the pun, perfectly positioned to ensure consumer after-glow
Emil, "Our commitment to a quality product and first class service and distribution is absolute. Profit margin is not my main concern; satisfied consumers are!
De Toren Polkadraai Road, Stellenbosch, PO BOX 48, Vlottenburg 7604, South Africa
Tel: +27 21 881 3119
Fax: +27 21 881 3335
Web: http://www.de-toren.com
