Emil and Sonette den Dulk, owners of De Toren, left the bustling city of Johannesburg in 1991 to find a home in the serene surroundings of Stellenbosch, where they could raise their family and enjoy the tranquillity of the area.

They found a smallholding in the Polkadraai Hills which offered uninterrupted views of the mountains on one side and False Bay on the other.

They originally had no intention of farming, let alone making wine, but after a few years of being on the smallholding, they were offered neighbouring land which they bought. The farm was big enough to grow grapes commercially and the decision was to use the grapes for their own wine production.

Of the 26 hectares 21.9 are under vine and the plantings include the five red Bordeaux varietals, namely Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Mable and Petit Verdot, which yield around eight tons per hectare for the winery. In 1999 the first harvest went into the De Toren Fusion V.

De Toren has a gentle approach to winemaking which is managed by their dedicated winemaker, Albie Koch.

The grapes are handpicked and sorted to protect the berries, a traditional basket-press is used and there are no pumps. A tall tower, which encases a lift shaft, raises a 4000-litre tank enabling gravity to gently draw down the juice from the tank. De Toren is named after this distinctive tower.

10 years on...

Ten years on from the first vintage of the Fusion V, De Toren released a limited edition wine to celebrate the occasion, called Decade.

The wine, a 2006 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, was launched at a celebratory lunch held at the magnificent Tintswalo Lodge on the shores of the nature conservation reserve of Hout Bay.

The setting was ideal and fitting for a birthday celebration and the menu was designed by Tintswalo's resident chef to match the De Toren wines. The main course of duck with soy fruit compote was served with the maiden vintage (1999) Fusion V. The wine had proved its ability to mature as the first taste showed lovely firm fruit structure along with gentle tannins.

Prior to the duck we were served a roasted mushroom tart and the wine to match was the gorgeous Fusion V 2006.

Of the five Bordeaux varieties used Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant (55%) variety which will assist the wine on its journey into the next decade.

Lovely aromas of cassis, cinnamon with hints of smoky liquorice entice you to gently sip the concentrated flavours of rich dark berry fruit refined by the time spent in first and second fill French Oak barrels.

This wine was awarded a well deserved five stars in the 2009 John Platter wine guide.

My kind and understanding bank manager has allowed me to buy a case of this wonderful wine which, sadly, I have put into my cellar until 2016... unless, of course, I can't wait that long.

Expect to pay: R285.50