With winter upon us and the evenings getting cooler and cooler, one occasionally needs a little warmth in ones belly. In my opinion there is no better way to do this than with a fine glass of Shiraz.
We have just added the Raka “Biography” Shiraz 2009 to our wine list.
Raka is based in a glen in the Kleinrivier mountains about 17 km outside Stanford which is close to Hermanus.
The farm is owned by the Dreyer family. Piet Dreyer’s father was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident when he was sixteen and so he had to help his mother support the family. He became a fisherman and caught fish over weekends and after school on a friends fishing boat. Piet loved the sea and fishing and grew from ski-boat owner to freezer-vessel owner. He became very well known amongst the squid fishing community.
Piet and Gerhard Dreyer still run Raka Marine and have eight fishing vessels
From Piet’s experience of having squid squirting black ink all over the boats, Piet decided to have himself a black freezer-vessel built so that he did not have to repaint it that often. He named the vessel RAKA from the Afrikaans poem by N.P. van wyk Louw about an African tribe being threatened by Raka, half man half beast and black as the night.
The Raka family purchased the farm in 1999 and Piet took his brand with equal passion into wine making – hence the slogan “Born of the sea, guided by the stars, blessed by the earth”.
The picturesque Raka Farm situated 17 km outside of Stanford.
Piet and Elna Dreyer have three sons and a daughter. Gerhard, the eldest, went into squid fishing. Josef, the second son, is Raka’s wine maker. Youngest son, Pieter, is a student, destined to become Raka’s viticulturist. Jorika, the only daughter, manages Raka’s tasting room. A real family affair!
The Raka “Biography” Shiraz is a 100% Shiraz. The wine was aged in a combination of 225 lt barrels of 85% French and 15% American oak for 12 months.
There is a strong aroma of white pepper with notes of black berry, violets and vanilla on the palate.
This is a real winter wine and will go well with brisket, beef stew, lamb, venison and roast duck in plum sauce!
Do you prefer old world Syrah or a bold new world Shiraz? What is your favourite Shiraz?
Kim, We are mostly “old world” wine lovers and tip our hand to the fabulous Rhone wines regularly – especially Chateauneuf-du-Pape from old vines. Your description of the Raka does remind me of what I love in the french Syrah-based wines, especially the white pepper aroma. We will try to track down some of this wine in the US, but if not, will check it out with you when we return to Londolozi. Love hearing about all the interesting new wines you are bringing in!
Hi Michael & Terri,
Raka Wine’s agent in the US is Cape Ardor LLC, there contact details are:
1414 62nd Street Emeryville, CA
San Francsico
CA94117
phone +1.4158749356 fax +1.4158749356
eMail info@cape-ardor.com
url http://www.cape-ardor.com
Contact: Eric Matkovich
Tel: +1.4157963514 or
+1.4158128246
Email: eric@cape-ardor.com
Alternative No. +1.4157963514
I definitely agree the Raka Biography is definitely more old world, it is very smooth and accessible.
Fascinating, thanks Kim!
Sounds lovely. Perfect for a cold winter evening in front of a fire.
Hi Kim, thank for this – I am going to try the Raka. My favourite well-priced Shiraz at the moment is the Zandvliet, but I am definitely a big fan of Kevin Arnold as well 🙂