“My philosophy in the cellar is to produce wines that are a unique expression of this unique place. I have spent 20 years of my life developing this farm, and I do not want to get in the wine’s way.”
American-born Samantha, a southern California native and a graduate of UC Berkeley, arrived in South Africa in 2000 and in 2003 established her own wine business and brand, Lismore. She planted vineyards on the slopes of a dramatic mountain range in a previously unknown region and is responsible for the establishment of Wine of Origin Greyton. Her focus and passion is cool-climate, elegant, classically styled wines that speak with a distinct voice and tell the story of their terroir. Samantha’s wines are highly regarded across the globe and acclaimed by international commentators.
Samantha’s home, vineyards and winery were destroyed by a raging bushfire in December 2019 and all her years of hard work went up in flames in a matter of hours. Yet this intrepid winemaker, with the help and support of her colleagues in the wine industry, has rebuilt, replanted and Lismore continues to thrive, a testament to her spirit. She is the proud mother of two sons, Keenan and Quinn, who are often with her in the cellar sharing her passion and building on her vision.
100% Syrah
Wine of Origin Elgin
An extreme cool-climate Syrah, grown on shale and iron, which highlights South Africa’s diverse terroir and ability to produce world-class Syrah in a diversity of regions. This site was chosen for its unique expression of place. The growing conditions in Elgin deliver elegance and restraint, and yet the iron soils of this vineyard express power and completeness. Natural yeast ferment with 100% whole cluster and extended maceration, ageing in a 500 litre French oak barrel.
Tasting Notes: The nose is defined by bramble, spiced plum, and cassis, complemented by aromatics of allspice, pink peppercorns, and a hint of fynbos. This medium-bodied, age-worthy Syrah is elegant and fresh.
Ready for drinking in 5 to 10 years.
Winemaker: Winemaker (Link to his profile)
100% Chardonnay
Wine of Origin Greyton
Samantha O’Keefe is the pioneer of Wine of Origin Greyton. This Chardonnay exemplifies that unique, extreme cool-climate terroir. It is a barrel selection of the coolest block on Lismore, chosen to express the elegance and concentrated definition of the steep, dry-land farmed, mountain vineyards. Whole bunch pressed and settled overnight, the wine was fermented with natural yeast and matured on the lees for 11 months. It aged without stirring in 500-litre French oak barrels, 25% of which were new.
Tasting Notes: Concentrated aromas of dried lemon, orange blossom, and toasted pine nuts. The palate is well-balanced, with intense stone fruit and grilled lime with a citrus, saline, mineral-driven finish.
Ready for drinking in 5 to 15 years.
Winemaker: Winemaker (Link to his profile)
100% Syrah
Wine of Origin Elgin
Winemaker Samantha O’Keefe
An extreme cool-climate Syrah, grown on iron, highlights South Africa’s diverse terroir and ability to produce world-class Syrah in a diversity of regions. This site was chosen for its unique expression of place. The growing conditions in Elgin deliver elegance and restraint, and yet the iron soils of this vineyard express power and completeness. The wine undergoes a natural yeast fermentation with 100% whole clusters, followed by extended maceration, and is aged in a 500-litre French oak barrel.
Tasting Notes: The nose is defined by bramble, spiced plum, and cassis, complemented by aromatics of allspice, pink peppercorns, and a hint of fynbos. This medium-bodied, age-worthy Syrah is elegant and fresh.
Ready for drinking in 5 to 10 years.
Winemaker: Samantha O’Keefe
100% Syrah
Grown on iron soils in cool climate Elgin, 100% whole bunch fermented with extended maceration. Aged with 25% new French oak.
Tasting Notes: Cassis, blackberry and cherry. White pepper, ground herbs and the strong floral perfume of crushed violets. Elegant, but structured with a fresh acidity.
Ready for drinking in 2024 and until 2034.
Winemaker: Samantha O’Keefe
100% Chardonnay
Dry land farmed on shale soils resulting in concentrated fruit. Barrel fermented and aged in 500 litre French oak barrels, 30% new.
Tasting Notes: Intense citrus and stone fruit layered with jasmine, walnut, honey and vanilla, carried by a distinct minerality and crisp acidity with a lingering citrus finish.
Ready for drinking in 2023 and until 2032.
Winemaker: Samantha O’Keefe
64% Chenin Blanc, 36% Viognier
Cool climate Chenin Blanc on decomposed granite from Walker Bay, elevated by Elgin Viognier grown on Rose Quartz soils. 15% of the final wine was skin-fermented Chenin Blanc, which enhances the pithy texture and grip of the wine, blended with Chenin and Viognier, each separately whole-bunch pressed. Oxidatively handled at the juice phase, then fermented using only native yeasts and aged in large format barrels for 12 months. 20% new Burgundian oak.
Tasting Notes: Citrus peel and blossoms, jasmine and apricot. A crunchy-textured palate bursting of granadilla, blood orange and lemon curd. A crystalline acidity finishes with intense Tahiti lime.
Ready for drinking now through to 2030.
Winemaker: Samantha O’Keefe
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