alvis drift presenter
TRANSCRIPT
Alfalfa is a 7,000ha property owned by the van der Merwe family with 410 ha dedicated to 19 grape
varieties. Chenin Blanc and Pinotage are specialities.
The farm is in the Breede River Valley, near Worcester, WC, South Africa.
Alvi's Drift winery takes its name from of the low water bridge crossing the Breede River on Alfalfa.
Built by Albertus Viljoen (Alvi) van der Merwe (the 1st) in 1928 to allow access to the family
property, the drift became known locally as Alvi's Drift.
From humble beginnings, the property and cellar were built up substantially over time by Alvi's son
Bertie. Latterly the running was taken over by Bertie’s sons Alvi and Johan who have continued to
grow the business built up by their father.
Alfalfa has extensive and diverse business interests, including a dairy with cheese making facility
managed by Johan. The success of the dairy lead to the creation of the Alvi’s Drift brand as a vehicle
to market the family's wine production.
Alvi manages the vineyards, citrus, stone fruit, fodder and of course, the winery. It was a natural
progression to produce wine under the brand Alvi's Drift.
The winemaking team of Alvi van der Merwe and Henk Swart bottled the maiden vintage of Alvi's
Drift in 2004. Linley Schultz joined the team in late 2009 and together they manage the farm's
6,000 tonne winery.
The property includes a game reserve with eland, springbok, ostriches and gemsbok among others.
Photo of Vineyard or region from Website
named after the low
water bridge spanning
the Breede River built
by Alvi’s Grandfather.
•Linley Schultz is the Alvi’s Drift winemaker with 30 years experience in the
international wine industry. He works closely with Alvi to bring a raft of experience
to the property
•Linley honed his winemaking skills within the Penfolds Wine Group. He extended his experience by studying French production of full bodied white wine styles, Spanish wine in Valencia and consulting to wineries in Germany, Hungary, Italy, Portugal and Argentina
•In 1998 Linley returned to Australia to take up the post of Winemaker/Manager of Renmano, a 25,000 tonne winery in Renmark, South Australia, then part of the BRL Hardy group.
•In 2001 Linley was approached to head up the winemaking department of the then newly formed Distell of South Africa, a complex alcoholic beverages company with wine production of 21 million 9 litre cases p.a..
•Pursuing new challenges and having a desire to be in business for himself, Linley has now partnered with the Avli's Drift family to produce a range of exciting wines for the South African and international markets.
The market and indeed consumers and sommeliers have always sought a combination of creativity, scale and a place of reference a home where their wine is made
Alvi’s Drift has filled this gap with high quality premium wines, modern classic packaging and an exciting combination of varietal wines at competitive prices
Over the last 20 years South Africa has seen many “concept” brands created which have been successful, but have lacked provenance and consistency of wine style
At the same time the old established and traditional premium wineries have not innovated into modern styles but have flourished with their “Classic” styles
Alvi’s Drift Signature range.
• Chenin Blanc
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Viognier
• Pinotage
• Shiraz
• Cabernet Sauvignon
The Alvi’s Drift Premium range
Drift Fusion-Cabernet Pinotage
CVC ( Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay)
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
SVC ( Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Chenin
Blanc)
• Firstly, wines that over deliver in quality terms
• In addition there are a number of creative styles such as CVC and Drift Fusion to
make a point of difference
• All wines are made with innovative and modern winemaking techniques, by a team
dedicated to the pursuit of excellence
• The South African Signature grapes of Chenin Blanc and Pinotage are a benchmark
for others to refer to, they are excellence in a sea of mediocrity
• Packaging reflects a combination of European background with Authentic South
African legend and prestige in design
• Pricing is extremely competitive
• Alvi’s Drift are wines you would be happy to take to any occasion
• Alvi’s Drift brings a fresh approach to South Africa
• From a property that is real and with an ambition to innovate
• A two tier range for retail, specialist and HORECA
• Interesting and classic varietals in one range
• Packaging that takes the old and blends into the contemporary
• Clearly South African in look and feel
• Authentic!
Contact : -
Office
Wendy Williams
Fruit Driven Wine Ltd.
Telephone +44 1743 761052
E-mail [email protected]
For Sales Contact
Darryll, Richard and Peter
Web site www.fruitdrivenwines.com