Holden Manz Wine Estate, known as Franschhoek’s hidden gem, is located in the southernmost corner of the stunningly beautiful Franschhoek Valley.

The 22 hectare Estate is owned by the Anglo-German Holden-Manz family since 2010.

75kW of solar panels provide electricity and a 40,000 litre roof water collection system supplements the underground water supply, hence the winery’s motto “Tread Lightly”.

Holden Manz Big G, the estate’s signature wine, is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc and 18% Merlot.

All fruit is estate grown, hand picked and undergoes repeated manual selection. Selected blocks in the vineyard are allocated to be used in making the Big G, however the resulting component wines are only used when selected to be of a high enough quality.

After a ten day cold soak, maturation in 225 litre French oak barrels (30% new and 70% second fill) for 18 months the wines were blended and aged for a further 6 months.

Producer’s Tasting Notes

Ruby red in colour with aromas of black cherries, plum, subtle herbaceousness, nuances of pine needle, blueberry and spearmint with hints of cedar wood and pencil shavings.

Soft, voluptuous mouthfeel with  integrated tannins. It has a smooth mid-palate with a finish full of dark fruit and long lingering flavours.