The South African wine country is known for producing high-quality wines that reflect the unique characteristics of the region’s soil, climate, and topography. I’m so excited to introduce you to a brand that embodies the region, The House of Henkel.
South Africa
The House of Henkel is a family owned, and woman run winery with their roots in South Africa’s Wine Country. They offer a selection of boutique and artisanal wines from family estates across South Africa. The brand was founded in 2017 by Moira Henkel and her daughter Gretchen, whom many of the wines are named after.
The Beautiful South African Wine Country
The story of the House of Henkel is one of resilience, family, and a deep passion for the art of winemaking. It is rooted in the lives of Moira Henkel and her husband Kevin Henkel, who dedicated themselves to preserving the legacies of their late parents, John and Winifred Parenzee, and Benjamin and Gertrude Henkel.
Moira’s journey began in Cape Town, South Africa, where she was adopted at only three days old into a loving home. Her exposure to her father’s life in the transport business later influenced her career choices. Drawing on her background in logistics and computer systems, Moira founded Fumana International Wine Imports in 2002, a travel, tourism, and investment company. However, her true passion lay in the wine industry, and in 2017, she and her daughter Gretchen founded the House of Henkel Wine Brand.
Moira & Gretchen Henkel
The House of Henkel is committed to quality and takes great care to curate a selection of wines that embody the spirit of South African winemaking. From their own family vineyards to carefully selected partner farms, each wine in their collection represents a unique expression of the terroir, climate, and history of the region. The House of Henkel offers several collections, including the Legacy Collection, the Miecké Collection, the Premium Collection, the Signature Collection, the Gretchen Collection, the Heritage Collection, and the Private Reserve Collection.
The varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, and Sauvignon Blanc. They also have a premium classic red Bordeaux blend, a signature methode cap classique brut, and a signature sweet moela natural sweet shiraz. Here is a brief overview of each of the wines in the collection:
House of Henkel Wines
- House of Henkel Gretchen Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot: A red wine blend made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes from the 2019 vintage.
- House of Henkel Gretchen Chenin Blanc: A white wine made from Chenin Blanc grapes from the 2022 vintage.
- House of Henkel Gretchen Delish Red: A red wine blend from the 2020 vintage.
- House of Henkel Gretchen Pinotage: A red wine made from Pinotage grapes from the 2019 vintage.
- House of Henkel Gretchen Sauvignon Blanc: A white wine made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes from the 2022 vintage.
- House of Henkel Premium Classic Red Bordeaux Blend: A premium red wine blend made from a variety of Bordeaux grapes.
- House of Henkel Signature Methode Cap Classique Brut NV: A signature sparkling wine made using the traditional method (methode champenoise) from the 2020 vintage.
- House of Henkel Signature Sweet Moela Natural Sweet Shiraz: A signature sweet wine made from Shiraz grapes from the 375ml bottle. It comes in a 375ml bottle.
I invite you to join me on this South African Adventure. Over the next several weeks, I look forward to sharing this journey with you as I taste, and review each of these wines and offer delicious wine pairing suggestions.
Love it!