Why it matters
The producer
KWV operates cellar facilities in Paarl and draws grapes from more than 50 farms and 400 vineyard sites. It began as a winemaking cooperative formed by Western Cape winemakers, and its Paarl operation includes the Cathedral Cellar. The site also generates electricity from KWV's own 50KWP solar plant.
Roodeberg was officially launched in 1949. The Mentors portfolio adds a more specific range of blends and stand alone varietal wines to the company's broad production base.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
KWV's grapes come from nine named regions: Paarl, Stellenbosch, Swartland, Perdeberg, Malmesbury, Darling, Elgin, Robertson and Wellington. The sourcing footprint crosses several regional wine areas, so the producer works with grapes carrying different geographic addresses rather than one single estate site.
Paarl remains the production base. The regional spread gives KWV room to make wines that range across different grape sources and regional styles while keeping cellar production in one place.
Wines to know
The range in view
The Mentors portfolio includes blends such as Orchestra and stand alone varietal wines such as Petit Verdot. Orchestra is the blended wine in the pair, while Petit Verdot presents one grape variety on its own.
The 2020 Mentors Orchestra is concentrated and intense, with plum, blackberry, fennel and sweet toasted oak. The Mentors Petit Verdot is oak marked, with damson and blueberry fruit and a backbone for further bottle age.