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The Afrikaans word Kloof has a similar origin to the English word cleft, in the sense that it refers to the gap (or gorge) between two slopes. Our version is spelt with a "C" in the old-fashioned Dutch way. The Cloof logo symbolises the contours of a ploughed hillside.

Cloof's red wines are rich and concentrated, which reflects our extreme growing conditions, no irrigation and a hot, dry summer. The vineyards are mostly bush vines (not trellised) which contributes to the concentration of the wines. Cloof is in the Darling region, which is not only blessed with fabulous soils, but gets the benefit of southerly maritime breezes that cool the vineyards down in the late afternoon and evening. This is important for preserving the flavour in the berries during the final stages of the ripening period.  

In our view bottling of a wine (whether varietal or blend) is justified only on the basis of it's uniqueness or special character. This being the case the label should speak for the wines personality. Consequently we've ended up where visually our wine labels are linked only by the presense of the Cloof logo. Each wine has its own unique story.

Crucible Shiraz:

Recently supplied at the Presedential inorgaration. A coverted Gold Medal at The 2009 Decanter World Wine Awards, Decanter Trophy and Gold Medal, Veritas Double Gold, Michelangelo Grand Prix and Double Gold. Nominated for the Platter Five Stars and selected for South African Airways First Class service.

This single vineyard wine is insanely concentrated, with dangerously seductive aromas and flavours. It is our most awarded wine. A Crucible is used for chemical reactions that heat, or for smelting metals. Metaphorically a crucible is therefore an adverse, testing experience. 

This singular wine is a product of the hot and dry circumstances under which the vines grow. Adversity that is a literal and figurative crucible.