Asara – Wine Paradise in the Heart of Stellenbosch
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.
Asara – perfect terroir for excellent wines
Developing the winery with an awareness of its history and tradition – this is what the owner family Rahmann has succeeded in doing over the last twenty years. Today, Asara is a destination that stands for good food and fine wines. The team attaches great importance to craftsmanship and care, and this naturally also applies to the wine cellar. Following the philosophy of letting the terroir express itself in the wines, there is only minimal intervention in the production process. The estate's vineyards offer ideal conditions for this: Various altitudes between 120 and 200 metres above sea level, different slopes and deep soils of decomposed granite make it possible to grow many grape varieties. Red grape varieties make up the majority of the vineyards (70 percent), while white grape varieties account for 30 percent of the cultivated area. The Speciality Range is the spearhead of Asara's portfolio; each wine in this collection is produced in a special way. The creations of the Terroir Range each tell the story of their unique terroir, while the wines of the Vineyard Collection focus on individual grape varieties and the Cape Fusion Range consists of fine and full-bodied blends.
Asara – an experience for all the senses
Just as gentle as the winemaking process is the way the vineyards are managed sustainably. Asara has been awarded Champion status by the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI) for its efforts and commitment to nature conservation and environmentally friendly water management on the estate. Visitors to the estate can explore the vineyards on foot or by mountain bike, enjoying nature and views of False Bay and the Hottentot and Stellenbosch Mountains. Speaking of enjoying: In the Tasting Room, the wines can of course also be tasted and the curious can take a look behind the scenes on a guided tour of the wine cellar. In the spa area, you can take a little time out and those who want to stay longer at Asara can rent one of the around 40 rooms of the luxurious hotel and explore the Stellenbosch wine region from here.