⏱ 1 min read
The Short Version
Forget predictable pours; Chris Groenewald is reinventing South African wine through unapologetic experimentation and sustainable quirks like aging in plastic eggs. From salty, skin-contact Sauvignon Blancs to crunchy, unconventional Pinotage, Pounding Grapes delivers a vibrant tension that prioritizes raw soul over manufactured trends.
In This Article
Listen up: South African wine is shedding its old skin, and Chris Groenewald is leading the charge with unapologetic personality. What began as a collaborative project has evolved into Pounding Grapes, a brand that leans into experimentation without losing its soul. Groenewald’s philosophy isn’t about chasing radical trends for the sake of it; he aims to make wines that are natural yet clean, utilizing tools like plastic eggs and recycled bottles to maintain a focused, sustainable approach.
Chris says, ‘I like making wine wines natural and clean.’
Texture and Skin Contact
The new releases showcase a mastery of texture through unconventional methods. The Bringing Back the Joy Sauvignon Blanc, a skin-contact expression from Durbanville, offers a salty, aromatic profile driven by seven days on skins and aging in both barrels and plastic eggs. It avoids the heavy-handedness often found in modern whites, opting instead for a tight, taut energy. Similarly, the Fairies in the Garden Semillon Gris provides a glowing orange hue and a fine-grained spice that highlights the potential of naturally mutated vines from Kweperfontein. Chris says, ‘I like making wine wines natural and clean.’
Precision Across Varietals
Groenewald also demonstrates significant range when stepping away from white aromatics. His Hard Candy Pinotage breaks the mold of the often overripe category, delivering a juicy, crunchy profile with fresh red cherry notes and dusty tannins. Even in more traditional regions like Stellenbosch, his Where the Lines Bend Cabernet Franc offers a light, Loire-style elegance characterized by wild blackberry and tart acidity. Whether it is the oxidative complexity of his flor-aged Chenin or the sleek black cherry of his Terracura Syrah, the common thread is a vibrant tension that refuses to be predictable. Each bottle feels less like a manufactured product and more like an honest conversation between the soil and the maker. Which of these experimental South African styles—the skin-contact whites or the lighter reds—would you reach for first?
Questions & Answers
What is the winemaking philosophy of Chris Groenewald and Pounding Grapes?
Chris Groenewald focuses on creating wines that are both natural and clean without simply chasing radical trends. His approach emphasizes experimentation while maintaining a soulful connection to the land through sustainable practices. To achieve this balance, he utilizes unconventional tools such as plastic eggs and recycled bottles during the production process. This methodology allows him to produce unique expressions of South African terroir that feel like an honest conversation between the soil and the maker rather than manufactured products.
How does Pounding Grapes create texture in its white wines?
Pounding Grapes achieves unique textures in its white wines through skin-contact methods and unconventional aging vessels. For example, the Bringing Back the Joy Sauvignon Blanc is left on its skins for seven days to develop a salty and aromatic profile. This specific wine undergoes aging in both traditional barrels and plastic eggs to ensure a tight, taut energy. These techniques allow the brand to highlight fine-grained spice and vibrant tension without relying on the heavy-handedness often found in modern white wines.
What characteristics define the different red wine styles produced by Pounding Grapes?
The red wines from Pounding Grapes range from juicy, fruit-forward profiles to elegant, light-bodied styles. The Hard Candy Pinotage avoids typical overripeness by offering a crunchy profile with fresh red cherry notes and dusty tannins. In contrast, the Where the Lines Bend Cabernet Franc delivers a Loire-style elegance characterized by tart acidity and wild blackberry flavors. These diverse approaches ensure that the brand provides a wide range of experiences, from oxidative complexity to sleek, fruit-driven profiles like the Terracura Syrah.
Why does Pounding Grapes use unconventional tools in its production process?
Pounding Grapes utilizes unconventional tools like plastic eggs and recycled bottles to maintain a focused and sustainable approach to winemaking. These methods support Chris Groenewald's goal of producing wines that are natural yet clean while embracing experimentation. Using these specific materials helps the brand achieve unique textural qualities, such as the aromatic and salty profile found in their skin-contact Sauvignon Blanc. This commitment to sustainability and novelty allows the winery to push boundaries without losing its core identity or soul.
Originally reported by Wine Anorak.
