Riesling Elgin 2023 – Moya Meaker

Overview

The Riesling Elgin 2023 from Moya Meaker is a refined white wine from the cool and fertile Elgin Valley in South Africa. With an alcohol content of 13%, this Riesling was designed to pair perfectly with Japanese cuisine, offering a harmonious balance of sweetness and acidity. Jean Smit’s “magic formula” of seven grams of acidity and seven grams of residual sugar ensures elegance, freshness, and versatility. The nose is pure and refined, reminiscent of a fine Clare Valley Riesling, with aromas of pressed white flowers and subtle oily nuances.

History of the Wine

This vintage is unique because it is the only cuvée that is destemmed, with whole berries pressed and transferred to concrete vats for a relatively warmer fermentation. The wine then aged on the lees for 11 months, developing structure, complexity, and aromatic finesse. Jean Smit’s approach combines precision winemaking with respect for the variety, resulting in a Riesling that captures the character of Elgin with clarity and elegance.

Vineyard Philosophy

The grapes come from vineyards in Elgin, cultivated with sustainable practices and attention to biodiversity. Low yields and slow ripening ensure concentrated flavors, vibrant acidity, and natural minerality. The estate’s philosophy aims to produce wines that are pure, expressive, and representative of both the varietal and the terroir.

Winemaking Approach

In the cellar, the 2023 Riesling follows a minimal intervention approach, enhancing the fruit’s purity and varietal expression. Fermentation in concrete adds texture and definition, while the extended lees aging provides roundness and complexity. The final wine is well-structured, elegant, and precise, with a fresh entry and a chiselled, focused finish.

Tasting Notes

Colour: bright straw yellow.
Nose: pure and refined aromas of pressed white flowers, subtle oily hints, and tropical notes of Granny Smith apple and passion fruit.
Palate: fresh entry with a touch of orange zest, balanced and harmonious, expressive of the varietal, with a defined and elegant finish that balances sweetness and acidity.

Food Pairings

Ideal with Japanese cuisine, sushi, sashimi, light fish, shellfish, delicate appetizers, and fruit-based salads. Also pairs beautifully with refined vegetarian dishes and fresh cheeses.

Technical Sheet

• Producer: Moya Meaker

• Designation: Elgin

• Grape Variety: Riesling 100%

• Alcohol: 13%

• Bottle Size: 0.75 L

• Ageing: 11 months on lees in concrete

• Serving Temperature: 10–12 °C

• Drinking Window: 2025–2031

• Style: White

• Food Pairings: Japanese cuisine, fish, shellfish, delicate vegetarian dishes

• Allergens: contains sulfites

Moya Meaker – Winery Description

Overview

Moya Meaker is a winery born from the union of two worlds: David Curl, a Canadian businessman and former owner of Bordeaux’s Château Gaby, and Genevieve Hamilton-Brown, originally from South Africa. Their marriage brought them to the cool and fertile Elgin Valley, a region renowned for elegant, cool-climate wines, especially Pinot Noir and Shiraz. The estate combines international experience, winemaking sensitivity, and respect for the land, producing wines with a unique and distinctive character.

History of the Winery

The journey began with the acquisition of a farm named Habibi, originally planted mostly with apples. David and Genevieve transformed the property, planting small parcels of Pinot Noir and Shiraz, which thrive in Elgin’s altitude, fresh climate, and complex soils. Their goal was to create wines that faithfully express the terroir and the typicity of the varieties, blending Old World inspiration with South African terroir.

Vineyard Philosophy

At Moya Meaker, the vineyard philosophy emphasizes biodiversity, sustainability, and soil health. Each parcel is carefully managed, yields are low to ensure concentration and aromatic purity, and vineyard practices promote natural balance. The region’s maritime influence and cool breezes allow for slow ripening, developing complex aromatics and natural minerality—traits reflected in every bottle.

Winemaking Approach

In the cellar, the approach is based on precision and minimal intervention, respecting the character of each vineyard. Vinification methods highlight varietal expression and terroir, while maturation is carefully calibrated to add complexity and elegance without overshadowing the fruit. The result is wines that are harmonious, refined, and capable of graceful ageing, capturing the essence of Elgin and the Curl-Hamilton-Brown family vision.

Identity and Personal Tribute

The estate’s name honors Moya Meaker, Genevieve’s mother, crowned Miss South Africa in 1959. This choice reflects a deep family connection, South African heritage, and the desire to craft wines that tell an authentic, elegant, and personal story. Each bottle embodies passion, care, and a celebration of tradition with contemporary sensibility.