19 Mar 2025
Posted at 13:21
in Wine Times
When I first started writing for the St Albans Times back in 2023, my first piece on International Women’s Day featured an interview I held with Penny Edwards, co-owner and director at Cellar Door Wines in St Albans and Hatfield House.
Penny has been running Cellar Door Wines since 2017 and has built a great female team which includes Geraldine and Victoria. She has a background in Hospitality Management Wine Retail and holds a WSET Diploma. Penny grew up in South Africa and first fell in love with wine when she was 19 years old on a Hotel School trip to the Cape Winelands.
I’m therefore delighted that this week Penny has selected two wines from two of my favourite South African female wine producers, Nadia Barnard and Alex McFarlane.
Nadia Barnard is the winemaker at Waterkloof Wines, a biodynamic winery located in the picturesque Stellenbosch region of South Africa. She is known for her passion for
biodynamic farming and her dedication to producing high-quality, terroir-driven wines.
Nadia’s winemaking philosophy is all about working in harmony with nature, and this is evident in the way that she farms her vineyards.
She uses biodynamic farming methods to ensure that her grapes are grown in a sustainable and natural way, with minimal intervention in the winemaking process.
Nadia’s dedication to quality and her commitment to biodynamic farming have helped to establish Waterkloof as one of the leading wineries in South Africa.
Two years ago, Penny introduced me to Nadia’s 100% Mourvèdre rosé, and this year I’m enjoying a 2020 vintage of her 100% Mourvèdre red wine called
‘Circumstance’ (£21 Cellar Door Wines). It’s are markable wine that truly captures the essence of its terroir. This vintage showcases a deep, rich colour that hints at the complexity within. On the nose, it offers an enticing bouquet of dark berries, plums, and subtle earthy notes, complemented by a touch of spice.
Upon tasting, the wine reveals a well-structured palate with flavours of ripe blackberries, cherries, and a hint of smokiness. The tannins are firm yet well-integrated, providing a balanced and smooth mouthfeel. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a lingering impression of dark fruit and a whisper of oak.
This Mourvèdre pairs beautifully with hearty dishes such as grilled meats, stews, and aged cheeses. It’s a versatile wine that can be enjoyed now or cellared for a few more years to develop further complexity.
Next up is Alex McFarlane’s Capitoline Wolf 2023 (£19.95 at Cellar Door Wines), a blend of 70 per cent Semillon and 30 per cent Chenin Blanc.
Alex McFarlane is a skilled winemaker with a profound passion for viticulture and oenology. She earned her degree in Agriculture, specialising in Viticulture and
Oenology, from the University of Stellenbosch in 2010. Alex’s career has taken her to some of the world’s most esteemed wine regions, including Margaret River in Australia, the Barossa Valley, and Napa Valley in the USA.
Her experiences at renowned wineries such as Voyager Estate, Kalleske, Henschke, Dalle Valle, Dancing Hares, and Favia have significantly influenced her winemaking approach and refined her expertise.
In South Africa, Alex began her winemaking journey as a junior red winemaker at Spier in Stellenbosch. She later worked as a viticulturist at De Toren and combined her skills in both viticulture and winemaking at Druk My Niet in Paarl.
These diverse experiences have instilled in her a deep respect for the vineyards and a commitment to crafting wines that truly reflect their unique terroir.
Established in 2018, McFarlane Wines is a family-owned winery dedicated to producing exceptional wines from South Africa’s heritage varieties.
The winery’s philosophy revolves around small-batch production, allowing for meticulous attention to detail and a strong connection to the vineyards. McFarlane Wines sources grapes from various growing climates across the Western Cape, ensuring a diverse range of components that express their distinct origins.
The winemaking process at McFarlane Wines emphasises gentle handling of the grapes, extended maturation on lees, and whole bunch fermentations. These techniques enhance the complexity, freshness, and purity of the final wines. The winery is committed to sustainability and fostering meaningful relationships with growers, paying fair prices to support the preservation of South Africa’s old vines.
The name given to this wine, ‘Capitoline Wolf’’, is inspired by the legendary she-wolf from Roman mythology who saved the twins Romulus and Remus. This name was chosen during a challenging time for McFarlane Wines, specifically during the first wave of COVID-19 lockdowns in South Africa. The winery faced significant difficulties in selling their wines and had to make tough decisions about their production.
Instead of giving up, they decided to create an experimental range of wines, which they named ‘Capitoline Wolf’ to symbolise resilience and survival, much like the mythical wolf that saved the founders of Rome.
With only seven barrels made, this vintage presents a bright, golden hue that is visually appealing. The nose is wonderfully floral, with hints of fresh ginger, fenugreek spice, and a medley of white and yellow fruits.
On the palate, the wine is vibrant and well-balanced, offering flavours of quince and nectarine, complemented by a fresh acidity. The finish is long and satisfying, with a touch of savoury spice that adds complexity. The texture is smooth and elegant, making it a pleasure to drink. This wine pairs excellently with a variety of dishes, including floral, aromatic green Thai curry or Laksa.
If you are in and around St Albans or Hatfield House, please do pop in and see Penny, Geraldine and Victoria – with their combined wealth of wine knowledge they are guaranteed to find you your perfect wine.
Penny Edwards and her team at Cellar Door Wines
Circumstance and Alex McFarlane’s Capitoline Wolf 2023
Alex MacFarlane
Nadia Barnard
Penny and Nadia.