03 Jun 2025
Journey’s End Vineyards, nestled in the picturesque Helderberg basin of South Africa, has launched three exceptional wines at OCADO as part of their captivating ‘Tales Range’.
I love to hear the stories behind a wine label and here we have a collection of wines that tells a unique story, reflecting the rich heritage and innovative practices of the vineyard.
Established in 1995 by the Gabb family, who were originally from Shropshire, here in the UK, the vineyard has been meticulously restored to produce top-quality wines.
Situated among the Schapenberg hills, Journey’s End benefits from unique terroir, characterised by ancient decomposed granite soils.
The vineyard enjoys the cooling influence of the south-easterly wind, known locally as the ‘Cape Doctor,’ which blows in from False Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, creating ideal conditions for vine cultivation.
Journey’s End is committed to sustainable and ethical practices, striving to minimise their environmental impact while producing exceptional wines.
Their dedication to the local community is evident through the Journey’s End Foundation, which supports various initiatives to combat hunger and poverty in the Helderberg region.
With a focus on precision viticulture and innovative winemaking techniques, Journey’s End produces a diverse range of wines that reflect the unique character of their terroir.
Weather Station Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Named after the famed SB11 ‘Weerstasie Kloon’ (Weather Station clone), one of the core components used in this wine.
First propagated in Stellenbosch in the 1920s, the clone made a huge resurgence in the late 1970s. The nickname ‘The Weather Station’ arose as the original plantings were done beside an old weather station, which proved invaluable in enabling the farms to spot oncoming changes in the weather and thus pick their fruit at its optimum condition.
This bright and balanced Sauvignon Blanc showcases pronounced green apple, citrus, and grapefruit flavours, complemented by salty minerality and subtle notes of kiwifruit. The wine’s lovely weight and round-mouth feel, balanced by natural acidity, bring freshness and length to the finish.
Pastor’s Blend Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
A beautiful Sunday service blend of 40 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 per cent Merlot, 20 per cent
Cabernet Franc, 5 per cent Petit Verdot, 5 per cent Malbec. This wine pays homage to the Pastors from the local village of Sir Lowry’s Pass who regularly deliver Sunday sermons at the foot of the Journey’s End vineyard and have aided the Journey’s End team in channelling resources to uplift the local community.
In 2020, the Journey’s End Foundation was established to continue this support through various programmes, including a soup kitchen initiative that delivers over a million meals per year.
The Pastor’s Blend is a harmonious mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, offering rich flavours of dark berries, plum, and subtle spice, with a smooth and velvety finish.
Huntsman Shiraz Mourvèdre Grenache 2022
Loving these blends, this time its 61 per cent Shiraz, 20 per cent Mourvèdre, 19 per cent Grenache.
In 1811, the first ever hunt in the New World took place in the Western Cape, with hounds imported from Gloucestershire, UK. The foundations of the Cape Hunt hounds’ original kennels were discovered by the Gabb family on the Journey’s End estate, and this momentous site was chosen to form the base of their cellar.
This expressive and juicy red is named in the hounds’ honour. The Huntsman blend of Shiraz, Mourvèdre, and Grenache offers vibrant flavours of red and black fruits, with hints of pepper and spice. Its balanced acidity and smooth tannins make it a versatile wine that can even be served chilled.
I’ve been a huge advocate of Journey’s End for decades and these three really hit the spot with an excellent price tag of £13.50 each.
