Vilafonté is a pioneering wine estate located at the foothills of the Simonsberg Mountain in Paarl, South Africa.

Established in 1997, it holds the distinction of being the first joint American-South African winemaking venture in the global wine industry. This groundbreaking project was founded by a respected group of wine specialists: Mike Ratcliffe from South Africa, and Zelma Long and Dr. Phil Freese from the United States.

The name “Vilafonté” is derived from the ancient “vilafontes” soil type found on the property, which is among the oldest documented soils in the world, dating back between 750,000 and 1.5 million years. These gravelly clay soils, untouched by glaciation or volcanic activity for millennia, are nutrient-deficient, encouraging the vines to produce small, highly concentrated fruit.

Vilafonté focuses exclusively on four noble Bordeaux red grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Malbec. The winery is known for its meticulous viticulture and a philosophy that blends traditional winemaking techniques with modern innovation to craft wines of exceptional quality, elegance, and longevity. Their portfolio includes the highly acclaimed “Series C” (Cabernet-dominant) and “Series M” (Malbec/Merlot-dominant) blends, as well as “Seriously Old Dirt,” an earlier-drinking expression. Vilafonté has garnered significant international recognition, consistently receiving high scores and accolades for its commitment to producing world-class Bordeaux-style wines.

The Vintage – Challenging, yet filled with optimism.

The 2022 growing season was characterized by a cool, wet start with above-average rainfall in October and November 2021. This led to vigorous shoot growth, requiring diligent thinning and extending the flowering period. Four distinct heatwaves in January resulted in some sunburn on the more sensitive Malbecs. February followed with few, milder heat spikes. These conditions contributed to some variable ripening within parcels and a smaller grape crop, ultimately shaping a late and drawn-out season. Harvest began nine days later than predicted, extending over four weeks instead of the usual three from February 19th to March 17th. In some cases, we harvested individual parcels in multiple passes, fermenting them separately to allow greater flexibility during blending.

Vintage 2022 quietly reflects our dedication and the enduring quality of our selected vineyard sites. It exemplifies the concentration and fruit-forwardness of Seriously Old Dirt.

The Blend
Matured for eighteen months with French Oak. Seriously Old Dirt 2022 consists of Cabernet Sauvignon (ninety-four percent), Malbec (three percent), Merlot (two percent) and Cabernet Franc (one percent).

Vibrant & Lively
Seriously Old Dirt 2022 exhibits a deep ruby colour. This Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend exudes delicate floral notes elegantly layered with rich, expressive red and black fruit; blackcurrant, black plum, dark cherry and raspberry float energetically from the glass. Spicy cinnamon stick and subtle clove add further dimension and complexity to a vibrant fruit profile. Entry onto the palate is smooth and a plush, silky texture persists on the mid-palate where the concentrated black fruit interlaced with dark chocolate has an energetic presence. A firm but balanced structure gives gentle palate weight, with long-lasting savoury spice on the finish. Satin-like tannins coupled with fresh acidity adds liveliness to this medium-bodied wine, allowing immediate enjoyment and will continue to give pleasure for five to ten years.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate – 91 points