Van Eck, Family & Friends Winery

General information

Van Eck, Family and Friends Winery was born out of passion for wine, respect for the natural process of taking a grape and let it be transformed to the nectar we know as wine. Artistic expressions of the Family and Friends are evident in our wines produced. The winery is a place of coming together for the Family and Friends with great stories and laughter that follows, inspired by the wine made for the Family and Friends.

Our philosophy – wine made in the vineyard. Every bottle an ambassador of the terroir the various grape varietals come from. The process only nurtured and maintained, with minimalistic intervention. We use native yeast and believe in whole berry fermentation – carbonic maceration to extract our lovely, supple and subtle tannins and deep colour.

We celebrate “naked” nature in the bottle. Wine made for food – the right sublime dish and the correct wine paired remains the longest marriage known to man. It might be a small thought for a man but an absolute giant leap for mankind when the pairing comes off – Yummy!

The Third Opinion

Winemaking for us started in 2008 – the maiden vintage. We were three friends – three doctor’s actually that decided during some well-deserved coffee break discussions on busy calls at hospital, that we are going to make a wine together. Seeing all are doctors, everyone with his opinion – The Third Opinion was born. The Third Opinion will always be a blend of Syrah of three different individual terroirs – coming together as the opinion in Syrah – The Third Opinion. 3 terroirs, 3 flavours, 3 colours red - 3 opinions coming together in a single wine - The Third Opinion - This is the first, the signature, the flagship of the Family and Friends.

We still remain friends today and each friend of the maiden three are now making their own wine. On special vintages and wines – we will make up a wine – a blend of each other’s wine: A Special Opinion

The grapes for The Third Opinion were sourced from tremendous quality vineyards - leading to astounding terroir. Viticulture by hand – signing off on a wine, actually made in the vineyard. Carefully handpicked grapes were used, meticulously hand crafted in our modest little cellar by the Family & Friends. Exceptional quality abounds, with rich flavour on the nose and palate, deep colour and balanced tannins with a very long polished finish. Brought about by whole berry native yeast fermentation and a traditional vinification approach with minimal intervention. The co-fermentation with Viognier ensures binding colour and a splendid flavour profile. The Third Opinion is guided on its journey to maturation.

The Third Opinion is unfiltered. Matured for 24 months in French oak barrels – second fill. Followed by 3 months maturation in a tank to become the opinion in Syrah. At least 6 months bottle aging will take place before release.

Beautiful hints of spice, pepper, plum and dark cherry on the nose and palate. Well rounded wood tannins and mocha wood flavours. Really a true celebration of Syrah.

The Third Opinion 2010: SYRAH 97% VIOGNIER 3%
Best enjoyed @ 18 degrees Centigrade. Will benefit from further optimal cellaring and peak between 3 - 6 years from release.

The Third Opinion 2010 pairs proudly and exceptionally well with Rogan Josh – North Indian-curry served with rootie. A real treat for the taste buds - a well complimented third taste sensation…

Spice Of The South

The “spice” behind the Spice Of The South: The Spice Of The South is made in the south - the most southern country of Africa, South Africa. The most southern province of South Africa – Western Cape. By the most southern arm of the Family & Friends. The Spice Of The South is inspired by and is a great tribute to the wines of the Rhône Valley. An excellent expression always of Spice on the nose and palate.

The grapes for the Spice Of The South were sourced from tremendous quality vineyards - leading to astounding terroir. Viticulture by hand – signing off on a wine, actually made in the vineyard. Carefully handpicked grapes were used, meticulously hand crafted in our modest little cellar by the Family & Friends. Exceptional quality abounds, with rich spice and dark fruit flavour on the nose and palate, deep colour and balanced tannins with a very distinguished finish. Brought about by whole berry native yeast fermentation and a traditional vinification approach with minimal intervention. Syrah co-fermentation with Viognier ensures binding colour and a splendid flavour profile. The Mourvedre is blended in at the end of barrel aging. The Spice Of The South guided on its journey to maturation.

The Spice Of The South is unfiltered. Matured for 24 months in French oak barrels – second fill. Matured as individual wines before blending. Followed by 3 months maturation in a tank to become Spice Of The South. At least 6 months bottle aging will take place before release.

Outstanding rich spicy tones, rounded by dark fruit flavour on the nose and palate. Well integrated wood tannins and oak flavours. A tribute to the Rhône Valley.

Spice Of The South 2010: SOUTHERN RHONE-STYLE BLEND - SYRAH 74% MOURVEDRE 24% VIOGNIER 2%
Best enjoyed @ 17 degrees Centigrade. Will benefit from further optimal cellaring and peak between 5 – 7 years from release.

The Spice Of The South 2010 pairs exquisitely well with Zesty Smoked Paprika Spicy Pork Rib. Sublime treat for the taste buds – a well-structured third taste sensation…

Dweller By The Oak

The Van Eck-family name in literal translation means – from the corner “um die ecke”. We had a lot of dwellers in the family’s history. Dweller By The Oak is a work of time and patience. A master wine produced from the patient and vigilant dwelling around the individual barrels in great anticipation of the maturity required of the individual wines to make Dweller By The Oak.

The grapes for the Dweller By The Oak were sourced from tremendous quality vineyards - leading to astounding terroir. Viticulture by hand – signing off on a wine, actually made in the vineyard. Carefully handpicked grapes were used, meticulously hand crafted in a modest little cellar by the Family & Friends. Exceptional quality abounds, with rich berry and dark fruit flavour on the nose and palate, deep colour and balanced tannins with a very sophisticated finish. Brought about by whole berry native yeast fermentation and a traditional vinification approach with minimal intervention. The Dweller By The Oak guided on its journey to maturation.

The Dweller By The Oak is unfiltered. Matured for 24 months in French oak barrels and one component of cabernet sauvignon in an American oak barrel – second fill, as individual wines. Followed by 6 months maturation in a tank to marry beautifully as Dweller By The Oak. At least 1 year bottle aging will take place before release.

Beautiful hints of red and dark berries with an undertone of cassis and mint on the nose and palate. Neatly finished with vanilla wood flavours. Marvellous great depth in complexity.

Dweller By The Oak 2010: LEFT BANK BORDEAUX-STYLE BLEND - CABERNET SAUVIGNON 46% MERLOT 23% PETIT VERDOT 18% CABERNET FRANC 10% MALBEC 3%
Best enjoyed @ 16 degrees Centigrade. Will benefit from further optimal cellaring and peak between 8 – 10 years from release.

The Dweller By The Oak 2010 pairs wonderfully well with Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb. A definite treat for the taste buds – a well-crafted third taste sensation…

Die Petrus Johannes - Proprietor’s Blend

Die Petrus Johannes - Proprietor’s Blend is a tribute to the late Family Father – Petrus Johannes van Eck. He was a very unique, most loving person. He portrayed an extremely strong personality, which led to a different and interesting take on life. His demeanour allowed him to be the epicentre of many conversations and social encounters of the Family & Friends. Die Petrus Johannes – Proprietor’s Blend is exceptionally down to character as expressed in this “moerbei” wine of the Family & Friends.

The grapes for the Die Petrus Johannes – Proprietor’s Blend were sourced from tremendous quality vineyards - leading to astounding terroir. Viticulture by hand – signing off on a wine, actually made in the vineyard. Carefully handpicked grapes were used, meticulously hand crafted in a modest little cellar by the Family & Friends. Exceptional quality abounds, with rich plum and other dark fruit flavour on the nose and palate, deep colour and balanced tannins with a very strong finish. Brought about by whole berry native yeast fermentation and a traditional vinification approach with minimal intervention. The Die Petrus Johannes – Proprietor’s Blend guided on its journey to maturation.

The Die Petrus Johannes – Proprietor’s Blend is unfiltered. Matured for 24 months in French oak barrels – second fill, as individual wines. Followed by 6 months maturation in a tank to become “the other Bordeaux-cultivars blend” – Die Petrus Johannes – Proprietor’s Blend. At least 1 year bottle aging will take place before release.

Beautiful hints of plum, blue berry, spice, earthy and green vegetable flavours and floral characteristics on the nose and palate.

Die Petrus Johannes – Proprietor’s Blend 2010: “The other Bordeaux-cultivars blend” MALBEC 56% PETIT VERDOT 30% CABERNET FRANC 14%
Best enjoyed during times of feeling different @ 16 degrees Centigrade. Will benefit from further optimal cellaring and peak between 8 – 10 years from release.

Die Petrus Johannes – Proprietor’s Blend 2010 pairs outstandingly well with French Bobotie – Cape Bobotie given a Provencal twist. Exquisite treat for the taste buds – a well-produced third taste sensation…