Lelie Van Saron
Western Cape
Lelie van Saron is the realization of a dream by one of of South Africa’s brightest winemaking talents, Natasha Williams. Natasha’s path to winemaking is an unusual tale; she was raised in a Muslim household where alcohol was forbidden. She enrolled at the University of Stellenbosch in molecular biology and met a young woman named Charla Haasbroek, who was the only woman in the winemaking program that year. Long story short, Natasha switched majors and the rest is history. After graduating, she quickly rose the ranks to head winemaker for Bosman before launching Lelie van Saron. The name, which translates to “Lily from the town of Saron,” pays homage to her upbringing and a childhood nickname. The wines are made without any manipulations and with a very gentle hand. Sulfur is the only addition, and the wines are as reflective of the seainfluenced site as they are of Natasha’s captivating personality. Today, Natasha is a prominent figure of the Cape South Coast’s new wave.
Wines
Chardonnay
This small block is a south/southwest facing slope at roughly 550-650 feet in elevation with the vines planted between fields of fynbos and in very close proximity to the sea, known for its granite soils. The wine whole bunch pressed and aged between concrete and neutral barriques.
Syrah
The Syrah block of the DeBos Vineyard sits just below the Chardonnay block and has more of a Sandy soil, granitic soil with rocky outcrops of pure granite. The wine is spontaneously fermented in stainless steel and aged in large format neutral oak.
Jade Red Blend
This Syrah-based blend comes from vines planted between fields of indigenous fynbos in close proximity to the ocean (about 4-8 km as the crow flies). With the influence from the cool Atlantic Ocean, the valley is considered to be an exceptional cool-climate winegrowing region
Jade Méthode Ancestrale
This methode ancestral wine remains quite clean and technical; the lack of cloudiness is a nod to Natasha's scientific leaning and her own personal preference.
People
Natasha Williams
After graduating from the University of Stellenbosch, Natasha quickly rose the ranks to head winemaker for Bosman before launching Lelie van Saron.
