Producer Article
Tokara
Last edited on 8/1/2016 by Bob Ferdon
There are 3 versions of this article / View version history
Producer website
ABOUT TOKARA
TOKARA is a picture perfect destination which offers visitors a unique combination of award-winning wines, brandy and olive oils, a gallery of fine art, a restaurant featuring one of South Africa’s leading chefs as well as a delicatessen.
The winery, on the R310 outside Stellenbosch, is nestled among vineyards and olive groves on the crest of the Helshoogte Pass with sweeping views across False Bay and all the way to Table Mountain.
TOKARA prides itself on making wines that are site specific. Even though vineyards were initially planted on the southern slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain at the Stellenbosch property, two other farms, Highlands in the Elgin district and Siberia in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus, were additionally acquired. In doing so TOKARA is able to produce wines which express the distinct characteristics of these three prime wine producing regions.
The TOKARA farm was purchased in 1994 by GT Ferreira for residential purposes, but it wasn’t long before the great potential for planting vineyards was recognised and explored. Classic varietals were planted on the 400m above sea-level slopes. The cool air and low temperatures contribute to the excellent quality of TOKARA Wines.
The winery building’s industrial nature is softened by uncomplicated architecture and design. A composition of simple, natural materials and clean, strong lines characterize the structure, offering clarity of form within a breathtaking environment.
The wine production and marketing facility was designed to reflect the character of the wines themselves – innovative and distinctive. Spaces interact efficiently, with practicality being a core element. The winery’s operational layout incorporates cutting-edge technologies and computerised control systems to ensure all TOKARA wines meet the necessary standards of excellence.
Miles Mossop - Winemaker
Mossop is an alumnus of Wynberg Boys’ High and a double BSc graduate from Stellenbosch University. He obtained his degree in viticulture and oenology in 1998, graduating top of the class, having completed a geology and geochemistry degree in 1995. A student practical spell at Spice Route was followed by a stint with Gyles Webb at Thelema.
In 1999 he spent a vintage at the prestigious Knappstein winery in Clare, South Australia, then did a tasting stint in France.
He worked the 2000 and 2001 vintages as a cellar hand with Alain Parret in Condrieu, France and Planeta in Sicily respectively.
In 2000 he joined TOKARA where he has completed 12 harvests thus far. Miles has recently been granted membership of the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild.
Mossop is passionate about surfing, fishing and wine in all its guises.
Aidan Morton - Viticulturist
Live in Stellenbosch and married to Mandy, 3 sons Matt (11), Ben (9) and Luke (3)
Graduated from Stellenbosch University with a B.Sc (Agric) majoring in Plant Pathology and Entomology. After completing military service in the SA Navy got a job in St Emillion at Chateaux l’Angelus in 1992 as a cellar hand. This sparked an interest in a possible career in the wine industry and decided to return to university to study further, this time majoring in Viticulture. After completion of studies, started work at Thelema as viticulturist (5 years) before moving to Tokara in 2001. Wine related travels include trips to Australia, New Zealand, California, and Europe.
Winegrowing philosophy: Great winegrowing begins with choosing the right sites on which to plant vineyards. I think Tokara’s three properties are perfectly suited to produce world class wines that will unmistakably express these individual terroirs. We subscribe to innovative precision viticultural practices in our efforts to produce the best possible fruit from each vineyard. Our long term goals are to keep our vineyards virus free, maintain sustainable farming practices, and constantly find ways of optimizing each vineyard’s potential. The winemaker’s role should be the vinification of our viticultural efforts.
Aidan is also responsible for the farming of the olive groves at Tokara.
Interests outside of the wine industry include among others sailing, hiking, bird watching and mountain biking.
ABOUT TOKARA
TOKARA is a picture perfect destination which offers visitors a unique combination of award-winning wines, brandy and olive oils, a gallery of fine art, a restaurant featuring one of South Africa’s leading chefs as well as a delicatessen.
The winery, on the R310 outside Stellenbosch, is nestled among vineyards and olive groves on the crest of the Helshoogte Pass with sweeping views across False Bay and all the way to Table Mountain.
TOKARA prides itself on making wines that are site specific. Even though vineyards were initially planted on the southern slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain at the Stellenbosch property, two other farms, Highlands in the Elgin district and Siberia in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus, were additionally acquired. In doing so TOKARA is able to produce wines which express the distinct characteristics of these three prime wine producing regions.
The TOKARA farm was purchased in 1994 by GT Ferreira for residential purposes, but it wasn’t long before the great potential for planting vineyards was recognised and explored. Classic varietals were planted on the 400m above sea-level slopes. The cool air and low temperatures contribute to the excellent quality of TOKARA Wines.
The winery building’s industrial nature is softened by uncomplicated architecture and design. A composition of simple, natural materials and clean, strong lines characterize the structure, offering clarity of form within a breathtaking environment.
The wine production and marketing facility was designed to reflect the character of the wines themselves – innovative and distinctive. Spaces interact efficiently, with practicality being a core element. The winery’s operational layout incorporates cutting-edge technologies and computerised control systems to ensure all TOKARA wines meet the necessary standards of excellence.
Miles Mossop - Winemaker
Mossop is an alumnus of Wynberg Boys’ High and a double BSc graduate from Stellenbosch University. He obtained his degree in viticulture and oenology in 1998, graduating top of the class, having completed a geology and geochemistry degree in 1995. A student practical spell at Spice Route was followed by a stint with Gyles Webb at Thelema.
In 1999 he spent a vintage at the prestigious Knappstein winery in Clare, South Australia, then did a tasting stint in France.
He worked the 2000 and 2001 vintages as a cellar hand with Alain Parret in Condrieu, France and Planeta in Sicily respectively.
In 2000 he joined TOKARA where he has completed 12 harvests thus far. Miles has recently been granted membership of the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild.
Mossop is passionate about surfing, fishing and wine in all its guises.
Aidan Morton - Viticulturist
Live in Stellenbosch and married to Mandy, 3 sons Matt (11), Ben (9) and Luke (3)
Graduated from Stellenbosch University with a B.Sc (Agric) majoring in Plant Pathology and Entomology. After completing military service in the SA Navy got a job in St Emillion at Chateaux l’Angelus in 1992 as a cellar hand. This sparked an interest in a possible career in the wine industry and decided to return to university to study further, this time majoring in Viticulture. After completion of studies, started work at Thelema as viticulturist (5 years) before moving to Tokara in 2001. Wine related travels include trips to Australia, New Zealand, California, and Europe.
Winegrowing philosophy: Great winegrowing begins with choosing the right sites on which to plant vineyards. I think Tokara’s three properties are perfectly suited to produce world class wines that will unmistakably express these individual terroirs. We subscribe to innovative precision viticultural practices in our efforts to produce the best possible fruit from each vineyard. Our long term goals are to keep our vineyards virus free, maintain sustainable farming practices, and constantly find ways of optimizing each vineyard’s potential. The winemaker’s role should be the vinification of our viticultural efforts.
Aidan is also responsible for the farming of the olive groves at Tokara.
Interests outside of the wine industry include among others sailing, hiking, bird watching and mountain biking.