Bessie Sauvignon Blanc 2023

About the Wine Estate

Spijker & Bessie are wines born of neighbourly love, a sense of humour, the compassion of Stellenbosch winemaking celebrities, and, most importantly, a passion for wine. During the 2019 harvest season, Hennie and Annelie's kind next-door neighbours, Hennie and Theresa Visser of the Lovane Boutique Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, gave Annelie an opportunity to create a small batch of experimental red wine in their cellar. In 2020 they decided to add Sauvignon Blanc to their range, and what started out as a fun family endeavour quickly evolved into a difficult scenario as the reality of the COVID-19 lockdown period dawned on us – no wine sales for months! As a long-time resident of the beautiful town of Stellenbosch, Annelie was fortunate to have a large number of thirsty wine-drinking friends and family members, and when the alcohol sales prohibition was repealed, they were finally able to release our two “wine babies” into the world. She needed to name these wines her “wine babies” and wanted to do something unique from the outset. A name that is easy to pronounce and without the pretentiousness that often intimidates wine buyers. Who would have thought that two beloved bovines would lend their names to the creation of Spijker & Bessie. The first vintage’s wines were all bottled, corked, and labelled by hand, and her three sons pitched in whenever possible. Initially, Annelie had planned to sell the wines only to friends and family, but with rising demand, who knows where these two bovines will lead us. When that day arrives, she will be able to produce wine until the cows come home.