Natte Valleij POW 2014
“Made with minimal interference and pretence – preserving the intrinsic link between grape and bottle. Unfiltered, unfined and handcrafted from start to finish.”
P.O.W. stands for “Prisoner of War” and this beautiful wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot. An Italian prisoner of War – captured in Abyssinia by South African troops, was exiled to the Cape to spend the duration of the war on the grounds of Natte Valleij.
Doubtless, he helped with farming and quite possibly also winemaking, while living in the cottage farm owners Alexander and his wife now call home.
The inscription POW BT 27-12-1943 in the cottage wall is their only reminder of his stay. The date is only two days after Christmas, poor sod must having been missing home terribly and wanted to leave some reminder of his existence on this far flung place at the tip of Africa. They therefore decided to name this wine in his honour.