HARVEST 2025: A NEW DAWN BREAKS FOR ALLESVERLOREN Dear Friends, Harvest is a meaningful time. It’s all about busy-ness and activity after months of preparation. But beyond the prospect it heralds for the year’s wines, harvest brings the opportunity for gratitude, reflection and renewal. This year, however, is particularly special. Perhaps more so than it has been in a long time, for reasons that will become clear. Over the past several months, much has been happening on the farm on the slopes of the Kasteelberg and we’re happy to be able to share a glimpse of this with you, now and here. Thank you for your support. Yours sincerely, Danielle Malan Tribute to a South African legend Nothing proceeds for us without the constant reminder and acknowledgement of Danie Malan, our father, dear friend and colleague. His passing late last year felt like every part of the sentiment encapsulated by our farm’s very name: Allesverloren. All is lost. But far from signifying despair, it is a reminder of the 150-year legacy of past generations borne most recently by Danie and now passed to us. It is a reminder too of the characteristics that sustained Allesverloren all these years: the courage to pioneer, a tenacious spirit and family values. We may have stepped into the season without the physical presence of this immense personality, but Danie’s great legacy remains our foundation. His passion, commitment to quality, and belief in the next generation continue to guide us as we head into a bold future for the Allesverloren family. Alastair Rimmer, Fanie Malan, Danielle Malan, Kara Botha, Brad Gold Stepping into the future With the arrival of Vintage 2025, a new chapter is born. It is one we are truly grateful that Danie had been party to before his untimely passing. The wheels have been rolling for some time, and now the results begin to show. Driving this transformation is a team that blends seasoned experience with the brand’s root fundamentals. We have long been part of the executive with respective focus on the vineyards, cellar and the brand. As familiar faces of Allesverloren, we not only continue to anchor its story as part of the Malan dynasty, but also contribute our own skills in our fields. We have drawn in the expertise of seasoned winemaking and marketing specialists geared to take Allesverloren to new heights. The promise of harvest (so far) Of course, the big question on everyone’s lips is about harvest! It’s all good news. The 2025 vintage has all the prospects of another great one for Allesverloren. A slow start to the season with some variable weather in spring meant some unevenness in the vineyards early on. Things settled a bit and even though we had some warm weather in December, the rest of the season was relatively moderate. This allowed the ripening of grapes to come along nicely and alleviate some of the early season unevenness. At the time of writing, there were some really good signs promising exceptional Tinta Barroca and Cabernet Sauvignon. Needless to say, but there has been great excitement as the fruit made its way to the cellar. We think there’s good reason for wine lovers to keep a lookout for the latest releases. A glimpse of exciting things to come Allesverloren is evolving as it moves forward in lockstep with its promise of quality and consistent excellence. Among the changes that are being rolled out are new labels and a new website. Our Swartland range of wines now reflects a refreshed elegance while elements of the labels remain anchored to the motifs of our brand fundamentals. We’d love to know what you think. It was extremely gratifying to have this new label recognised among the winners in WineMag’s most recent Label Design Awards, where the farm’s entry was represented by the Allesverloren Chenin Blanc 2024. Judging criteria included originality of concept, execution, shelf appeal and effectiveness as a piece of communication. Danie was a firm believer in honouring tradition while embracing progress. Today, as Allesverloren takes on a bold new look, we do so with his unwavering support in mind. Every step in our design process is intended as a visual reflection of the estate’s timeless heritage and pioneering spirit. We know that he would be proud of this journey. Now is the time There has been no better time to return to Allesverloren, whether for a farm visit or through the next wine you chose to open. As we step into 2025, we invite you to be part of this journey - by raising a glass to the harvest, visiting us in the Swartland, or sharing your Allesverloren moments with on Facebook and on Instagram. The story continues, and we’re honoured and grateful to have you along for the ride. |