“Making wine is like storytelling. In winemaking, you need to listen very carefully to what the vineyard communicates and when you are able to do that, we can tell the story of that vineyard. And when you drink a wine, you need to be transported to that place.”
After graduating from Stellenbosch University with a BSc and BSc Honours in wine biotechnology in 1998, Erika joined Kleine Zalze in Stellenbosch in 1999. Completing harvest tenures in Sancerre, Saint-Émilion and the Languedoc in France, she gained an appreciation for the balance and elegance of the wines of these regions.
In 2005, she took the position of winemaker at Graham Beck Wines and, after a brief stint under the mentorship of Charles Hopkins (then-cellarmaster at Franschhoek), she found herself the sole winemaker in a world-class cellar and living her dream.
Her 12 invaluable years there, where she eventually became cellarmaster of still wines, gave her the experience and confidence to go solo. She established Erika O in 2016 as a boutique winery specifically aimed at producing small batches of hand-crafted, distinctive and terroir-specific wines from selected vineyards across the winelands. She’s always maintained that the following ‘ingredients’ are essential in the art of crafting a fine wine: true terroir, balance, honesty, and a light touch. They tell a rich and deeply fascinating story of a time, a place, and a maker.
66% Syrah, 17% Grenache Noir, 12% Cinsault, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine of Origin Coastal
Vintage 2022, a cool season where moderate weather conditions during harvest slowed down ripening, leading to red wines characterized by good acidity, colour, and tannin structure. These conditions resulted in concentrated wines with vibrance, elegance, and exceptional cellaring potential. Syrah brings forth fresh red berry fruit, spices, and structure, while Grenache contributes fresh fruit, elegance, and structure. Cinsault adds brighter fruit, acidity, and freshness, complemented by a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon, which enhances complexity, structure, and length.
Tasting Notes: Intense and concentrated, beautifully balanced with an alluringly perfumed nose. Multi-dimensional and multi-layered, the palate delivers a textured mouthfeel with silky smooth tannins and a fresh finish.
Ready for drinking from 2025 to 2035.
Winemaker: Erika Obermeyer
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah
Wine of Origin Stellenbosch
At the foot of the Helderberg, Firgrove vineyards benefit from unique decomposed granite soil that nurtures the vines by allowing roots to access water and nutrients gradually during ripening. The proximity to the cold Atlantic Ocean ensures slow ripening, while persistent winds control vine vigour, resulting in small, concentrated berries with ripe tannins. The combination of Bordeaux and Rhône grapes merges their distinct virtues into a wine that, at its best, is greater than the sum of its parts.
Tasting Notes: Alluring nuances of concentrated red and black fruit, tilled earth, cedar wood, dried herbs and oak spice. The palate shows intensity and depth underscored by chalky ripe tannins and a savoury finish.
Ready for drinking from 2025 to 2035.
Winemaker: Erika Obermeyer
63% Syrah, 20% Grenache Noir, 14% Cinsault, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine of Origin Coastal
Tasting Notes: Intense and concentrated, beautifully balanced with an alluringly perfumed nose. Multidimensional and multi-layered, the palate delivers a textured mouthfeel with silky smooth tannins and a fresh finish.
This will be ready for drinking from 2024 until 2035.
Winemaker: Erika Obermeyer
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