Asara The Bell Tower 2013

Some opportunities only come once in a lifetime – when entrepreneur and wine lover Markus Rahmann was offered the chance to buy a wine estate in the heart of Stellenbosch in 2001, situated in one of the most beautiful wine-growing areas in the world, he did not hesitate for long, because he saw the potential that lay in the 180 hectares of land. To mark the new start of the estate, whose roots go back to 1691, it was given a new name: Asara. On the one hand, this is a homage to the North African gods of earth, sun and sky (Astar, Asis, Asase), on the other hand, the name is a symbol for the balance of nature and its harmony, which is reflected in the wines of Asara.

The vineyard blocks with the highest quality rating are set aside for the Bell Tower blend. Theses blocks are located at higher altitudes, from 120 to 200m above sea level, with extended fruit ripening due to the resulting cooler climate. At 20 years of age the vineyards are among the oldest with low yield at 4-5 tons per hectare, planted on Tukulu decomposed granite soil. Grown on slopes mostly southwest facing, reducing grape exposure to direct sunlight.