The local baboon troupe on Ayama Wines ‘ Slent Farms near
Paarl should be the first to celebrate the Harper’s Design 2013 Gold Medal announced
today for the whimsical Baboon’s Back Shiraz 2011, but unfortunately their favourite varietal is a
long way from ripe!
Comments Harper’s on the results of the red wine
competition; “There was a hat trick of Golds in this category, but for all
round fun you would be hard-pressed to better Baboon’s Back. Judge Simon
Esterson was particularly taken by the characterisation in the drawing of the
baboon on the label and said it nearly has a Ralph Steadman feel to it.”
Proudly Italian, but
with a deep belief in the future of this country, Attilio and Michela Dalpiaz bought the property with friends in 2005.
They created the wine after observing the baboons testing different bunches for perfect ripeness in the
Shiraz vineyard up against the Perdeberg Mountain, which forms the backdrop to
the farm.
“It was really funny as they would pick one berry, chew it
and if good enough, keep the bunch under
one arm whilst reaching for the next. At
this point the previous bunch would fall out, ” says Michela. “Although we don’t begrudge them a share of
our bounty, we have to chase them off after a while. This is
where the idea came from as we were often seeing them from the back scampering
away towards safety once we get close.”
The label was designed by Davide Bevilaqua of Mumble Design
in Italy, who was excited at the chance of a South African project after being
involved with Michela’s family wine farm in Friuli near Venice for 12
years.
The colourful and amusing label depicts a stylised baboon
character with his favourite treat under the arm. “We wanted the label to stand
out, but still be classy like the wine inside the bottle, which is a
full-bodied spicy Shiraz ,” says Michela.
“So although a bit tongue in cheek, we didn’t stint on quality paper and
printing. We are thrilled at the
international recognition, especially in such a highly contested competition, with literally hundreds of the world’s top
wine & spirits brands participating.”
The multi award-winning “Baboons” range currently consists
of the Baboon’s Back Shiraz 2011, the Baboon’s Cheek Viognier 2012 and the
Baboon’s Cuddle Pinotage 2012. These are available on-line at www.ayama.co.za
. The Baboon’s Back is selling well in
Finland, Russia, Ghana and Belgium and in selected outlets nationally.
Ayama also produces other White and Red wines, three Methode Cap
Classiques and Olive Oil. Tastings by appointment. For more details, visit the website.
