About The Winelands welcomes Pieter “Bubbles” Ferreira, Cellarmaster at GRAHAM BECK, situated in Robertson, South Africa. Affectionately known as “Mr Bubbles”, Pieter Ferreira eats, drinks and breathes bubbles! Listen to the chat with Pieter below:
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About Pieter Ferreira
Pieter has been with the team from the very first vintage and has been instrumental in cementing Graham Beck as one of the world’s leading producers of premium Méthode Cap Classique style sparkling wines. Over the years he’s been asked countless times “what defines a truly outstanding Cap Classique?”
The answer is as simple as this: it’s when you ask for that second bottle! “A truly ‘world-class’ Cap Classique is the result of favourable vintage conditions and reflects stricter fruit selection and the utmost care in the cellar in the pursuit of even greater excellence. That’s the academic response, but most importantly to us producers it’s the reaction from the consumer,” explains Pieter.
GRAHAM BECK – The Ultimate in Elegance and Finesse
About Graham Beck – Continuing the legacy and inspiring people to live meaningful lives
Founded in 1983, Graham Beck Wines and its Robertson estate represent the Beck Family’s dedication to excellence. The foundations for the success of the Graham Beck brand were laid in 1983 when the late Graham Beck purchased Madeba, a farm located outside the Western Cape town of Robertson. It was his ardent ambition to establish a world-class winery in this area that saw the erection of a state-of-the-art cellar and groundbreaking tasting facility, ensuring the growing reputation of Graham Beck MCC as a leading international wine destination.
At its helm is Graham and Rhona’s son Antony Beck, who remains deeply invested in the business and focused on maintaining the brand’s global reputation for impeccable quality and constant innovation.
In terms of sustainability, Graham Beck have established pioneering programmes to nurture, protect and conserve our precious natural heritage. The two components which play a pivotal role in farming are water and energy.
Graham Beck MCC
Always up for a challenge Graham declared the estate’s flagship would be none other than a sparkling wine. Fortuitously the area, with its outstanding climate and rich limestone soils, proved to be ideal for the cultivation of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – two of the three Cap Classique varieties (Pinot Meunier being the third variety, very rarely used in South Africa). Today Graham Beck MCC is considered one of the country’s finest Cap Classique sparkling wines and a serious contender in the international wine arena. The first Non Vintage was released in 1993.
We always aim to capture the unique fruit characteristics of each variety. It’s our goal to ensure the ultimate in elegance and finesse,” explains Graham Beck Cellarmaster Pieter.
Cellarmaster Pieter “Bubbles” Ferreira has been with the team from the very first vintage and no doubt as to the reason for Robertson’s success.
It’s the unique terroir – perfectly suited to the production of outstanding Cap Classique. We have the richest natural limestone deposits in the Western Cape. All our peers and competitors in the Cap Classique sparkling category are buying Robertson fruit, which is more forgiving and has more flavour than elsewhere,” he explains. “Limestone ensures low pH and natural acidity, so it’s ideal for bubblies.”
Wine Tasting at Graham Beck
This exceptional setting is truly a delight for the senses – both inside and out. With the impressive local and international art collection adorning the walls and the endless vistas from the dramatic windows – this cellar door encounter is a highlight of any trip to the South African winelands.
Here you can taste and purchase our iconic range of Cap Classiques. Each bubbly is testimony to the Graham Beck philosophy of unwavering passion and dedication to the pursuit of the perfect bubble whilst celebrating what matters.
In conclusion, it is our fervent hope that what truly matters to us – the triumphs we toast along our journey towards the perfect bubble – become moments and causes that matter to you too. Because that’s something to celebrate!
Besotted with Bubbles?
The Graham Beck Society is South Africa’s most exclusive club for those who relish all things bubbly. MORE INFO HERE
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