Wine Industry Report

Graceland Vineyards the privately owned wine estate in Stellenbosch has appointed The Vintner Ltd, the wine agency of Arthur Rackham emporia, to act as their agents for the UK and Ireland from January 2006.

Graceland Vineyards is a 18 hectare estate on the slopes of the Helderberg - a region famous for its high quality red wines. Graceland won 4 stars in the 2005 Platter Guide to South African Wines for their 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon and the flagship “Three Graces” blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz, sold out as soon as it was launched last year.

James Rackham, Chairman of The Vintner Ltd said “Graceland Vineyards is a producer of hand-crafted top quality wines that fits perfectly with our plan to introduce into the UK truly great wine estates that represent absolute quality, varietal integrity and superb terroir.”

The following Graceland wines (all are unfiltered and produced from vines that are not treated with insecticides) are now available in the UK:

Graceland Shiraz 2003 (14% Alc.)
Barrel aged for 14 months, this wine is dark, almost inky black in colour. Powerful, with succulent raspberry and mulberry fruit flavours on the nose and palate. Soft grape and wood tannins. Leaning more towards a European classic style.

Graceland Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (14% Alc.)
From the oldest vineyard at Graceland, planted in 1992, this wine was aged in barrel for 16 months and received a 5 Star rating from Canada. Tony Aspler describes this wine thus: “This is a magnificent wine that combines stylish red Bordeaux character with new World fruit expression. Deep ruby colour: cedar, red berry nose; medium-bodied, elegant, lovely well-extracted cherry-berry flavours; well balanced and firmly structured.”

Graceland Merlot 2003 (14% Alc.)
Full bodied, with dark ruby plum colour Cherries, violets and red berries on the nose which follow through on the palate. Sound oaking that does not overpower.

Graceland Three Graces 2003 (14% Alc.)
A blend of 60% Cabernet, 20% Shiraz and 20% Merlot. After 14 months in barrel, this wine was blended and then matured for a further six months. Ruby plum and black berries from the Cabernet are evident, moving onto the sweetness of the Shiraz. Sweet strawberries fill the mouth, ending with big black cherries. A seamless wine with fine wood, with a structure to drink well for another 6 years.

Stop Press!
Graceland Cabernet Sauvigon 2003 & Graceland Siraz 2003 selected by Decanter Magazine both wines winning 4 Stars respectively in December 2005 & January 2006 for its“Best New Releases”

Trade enquiries:
The Vintner Ltd, The Church, 172 London Road, Guildford GU1 1XR
Tel: 01483 458700 Fax: 01483 454677
info@thevintner.co.uk
www.thevintner.co.uk

Retail sales:
Arthur Rackham Emporia, 216 London Road, Guildford, GU4 7JS. T: 0870 870 1110
cellars@ar-emporia.com
www.ar-emporia.com
____________________________________________

For further information: Geoffrey Kelly – Euro Strategies Ltd, 120 Wilton Road, London SW1V 1JZ
T: 020 7828 7029 F: 020 7630 9198
geoff@eurostrategies.co.uk