Epitome is Sumaridge’s flagship red blend, a wine that showcases the deeper, more structured potential of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley while remaining true to the estate’s hallmark elegance. Crafted from a carefully chosen mix of Syrah and Pinotage (the proportions vary slightly by vintage), it reflects both the Cape’s heritage and the cool-climate finesse that defines Walker Bay.
The grapes come from Sumaridge’s elevated vineyards overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, where cool sea breezes and clay-rich soils give small, concentrated berries and a long, slow ripening season. This combination delivers ripe fruit without excessive alcohol, preserving freshness and spice.
In the cellar, fermentation takes place in small open fermenters, followed by maturation in French oak barrels for around 12 to 14 months. The approach is measured: enough oak to polish texture and add complexity, but never to mask the fruit.
In the glass, Epitome offers a generous nose of blackberry, plum, and mulberry, lifted by violet, pepper, and a touch of smoked meat from the Syrah component. Pinotage brings plush red fruit and a subtle earthy undertone. The palate is full-bodied yet balanced, with fine tannins and a lingering finish of dark fruit, spice, and coastal freshness.
Approachable after a brief decant, Epitome also rewards cellaring for 5–8 years, gaining savoury complexity and a deeper integration of fruit and oak. It is a distinctive Walker Bay red: rich and structured, yet shaped by the cool winds and maritime climate that give Sumaridge wines their signature poise.