Lock, stock and wine barrel: Tokara

Tokara is one of those inviting farms that you can’t help but love.

From their amazing olives to acclaimed wines, the Stellenbosh-based wine wonderland never disappoints and the Tokara Reserve Collection Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2017 shows how anything from Tokara is an experience of the region.

It’s a blend of 98% Sauvignon blanc and 2% Semillon and features the best grapes grown on Tokara’s Highlands farm in Elgin, creating another exceptional drinking experience. The straw colour with dabs of green is a visual clue to what to expect.

On the nose, you experience guava, asparagus, fresh cut grass and all the classic Sauvignon Blanc aromas. But the touch of Semillon adds to the freshness of the wine. On the palate its a symphony of citrus that is crisp and lingering.

While this is the perfect wine to enjoy right now, Tokara seems to understand that cellaring is something that more people are investing in. At the cellar door you can pick up a bottle of Elgin for just R135 and it’s expected to age well, with 2027 earmarked as a good time to uncork.

If you do find yourself in Stellenbosch, Tokara is an essential stop if you’re touring the winelands. Tokara is on top of Helshoogte Pass between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek and also garners acclaim for its world-class olive oils.

The first four hectares of olive trees planted on Tokara’s steep slopes in 2000 were the bold vision of Anne-Marie Ferreira, co-owner and founding member of the Tokara Olive Shed. Since then the orchards have grown to cover 22 hectares, planted with the classic cultivars of Coratina, Leccino, Frantoio and Mission.

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