The 19th Wine

A wine created for golfers by golfers, The 19th blends two beautiful traditions just made for connoisseurs of the finer things in life. The ‘19th hole’ drink after a friendly game of golf might never be the same again.

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE 19TH WINE

Awine for golfers: who would conceive of such a thing? Well, actually a winemaker who also happens to be a keen golfer. Ernst Gouws is a highly respected South African viticulturalist and also a lover of the game. His winery, Ernst Gouws & Co, stretches out through God’s land in what is some of the most beautiful and lovingly nurtured scenery in the world, but this is also where the award-winning wine producer creates a range of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon/ Merlot and typically South African Pinotage wines of international stature.

To say that Ernst Gouws & Co is a prestigious winemaker is certainly no overstatement, and yet it is making waves all over again with the development of a highly unusual twist to this elegant industry – making a wine specifically designed for golfers. “One of the most cherished traditions of the sport is the socialising afterwards,” says Ernst, “the so-called 19th hole, usually in the form of a clubhouse bar, lounge, restaurant or terrace overlooking the course, and this is where the idea of creating a golf-perfect wine came to me.”

‘After action satisfaction’ comes with a drink, snack and friendly banter among friends after a good game of golf, a timehonoured tradition that is one of the great attractions of the sport, for golf is a highly sociable endeavour. More than that, for many it is a way of life, and one that comes with certain traditions, etiquette and codes of conduct. Indeed, in a modern world, golf still embodies the classical concepts of fair play and gentlemanly behaviour, even if not all practitioners always achieve such high standards. For golfers, however, the bar is set high.

With all of this in mind, and also mindful of the traditions of the sport, Ernst Gouws started developing the perfect wine for the aftermatch drink. Using his extensive knowledge of golf and his expertise as a viticulturer, he created The 19th, a range of white and red wines designed specifically for the golfer’s palate and post-game experience. “It should be refreshing and not too heavy, lighter for instance than a wine you would enjoy at dinner but full-bodied enough to be a proper glass of wine.”

The result is a curated golfer’s collection of two white wines – a vibrant white Sauvignon Blanc with summery fruity notes ideal as a complement to a fresh salad. Or, if you’re enjoying a light seafood meal after the game, then the slightly more citrusacidic Chenin Blanc will tickle the palate. The two red wines include a Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend that is wooded, wellrounded with a hint of blackcurrant. Perfect with cheese or even a roast meat dish. The Pinotage – a South African grape variety developed from Pinot Noir and Cinsault – is as flexible as a good golfer.

Like the Cape region of South Africa, Spain is also a nation of keen golfers and a long winemaking tradition, so golfers and wine lovers here – especially on the Costa del Sol – could not be deprived of the chance to enjoy something as unique and well-matched as a wine made for golfers, by golfers. The fact that this lover of the game is also a decorated wine producer ensures the quality of the offering, for which Living Bytes has the exclusive distribution rights in Spain and Portugal. The 19th wines are available through them to private buyers and the trade throughout the Iberian Peninsula.

“It’s the perfect wine to enjoy at a clubhouse bar, restaurant or terrace café after a round of golf, relaxing with friends and socialising, for that’s an important part of the game and its traditions,” says the creator of The 19th. However, enthusiasts of the sport and those enjoying a lifestyle overlooking one of the many beautiful fairways that crisscross the Costa del Sol will also be keen to try a new take on creating wines that will be close to their heart or make the perfect gift.

For golfers across Spain and Portugal there is a now a quality tipple made exclusively with them in mind.

g Tel: (+34) 699 560 435. E: hello@the19th.wine www.the19th.wine