I have to say that I'm not a winter person and during those short cold days I look forward to September which heralds the start of spring.

Of course living in the Cape we never really sure when spring starts as our cold weather seems to stretch well into November. It's only the new budding on the trees and vines and the chilling southeaster winds that indicate that changes are happening.

September the first was a cold and chilly day in Cape Town and Villiera had invited us to the launch of their latest vintage of their sparkling Brut Natural. A lovely idea to celebrate the arrival of spring with a bubbly, just a pity it wasn't warmer. However once we had been welcomed by the warm hospitality of the Grier's, owners of Villiera, the weather was long forgotten.

Environmentally friendly

Villiera Wines was started in 1983 by cousins Jeff and Simon Grier. Jeff is responsible for the winemaking and Simon is the viticulturist who takes care of the vineyards and the environment around the farm. Over the years they have done extensive replanting of both classic and local wine varietals.

Cathy Brewer later joined the family team to head up the all important sales and marketing. Villiera boasts a hi-tech cellar where they produce their award-winning wines which include a range of premium Cap Classique's.

After a glass of their delicious Monro Brut, Villiera's flagship Cap Classique, we were seated in the cellar for a tasting of their recently released 2009 white wines along with the 2007 Villiera Brut Natural.

Before Jeff started the tasting Simon spoke about Villiera's environmental commitment. Simon has always been a keen supporter of maintaining environmentally-friendly vineyard management practices.

The farm has not sprayed insecticides for the past 10 years and a flock of 1000 Peking ducks are responsible for some natural pest control.

There is a strong focus on water conservation, recycling and a greening project (currently in progress), which involved the planting of 10 000 trees on the farm. This philosophy has led to a vibrant eco-system on the farm, including huge flocks of guinea fowl and pheasant as well as Steenbok, Cape foxes, grey mongoose, porcupines and the threatened Blue Crane.

Jeff started the tasting explaining that approximately 35 percent of the wine production at Villiera is currently focused on bottle-fermented sparkling wines. A joint venture with Frenchman and champagne specialist Jean Louis Denois in the mid-1980s resulted in Villiera producing a range of some of the finest Methode Cap Classique sparkling wines in South Africa.

The Villiera Brut Natural 2007 is made from 100 percent Chardonnay grapes and is preservative free with no addition of sulphur throughout the entire winemaking process.

There is often the worry that a wine without added preservatives won't last (Villiera advises the Brut Natural to be consumed within four years from vintage) but tasting the delicious Brut Natural 2004 alongside the 2007 proved that the wine has aging potential.

The 2007 shows delicate apple/brioche aromas with bone dry rich, ripe toasty flavours with a lingering savoury aftertaste.

Expect to pay: R98.