Footprint 'The Long Walk' Merlot 2016

It's not the most conventional way of employing an expert winemaker, but when Naas used his glue-filled boot to catch the thieving little elf responsible for stealing grapes, it was the beginning of a beautiful new relationship.

When the elf was forced to share the wine he'd made from the contraband grapes, his otherworldly talent was impossible to ignore. Rather than punish the little guy, the winemaking team encouraged him to join them. The elf agreed on one condition: he got to crush the grapes by bouncing on them standing in Naas's shoe. Genius. The gentlest crushing, releasing magical flavours of plum and mulberry, and just a hint of spice*

*Which absolutely has nothing to do with the musky aroma of Naas's footwear, we're certain.

Footprint is made by African Pride Wines. Founded in 2002 as a collaboration project between winemakers Mike Graham and Nass Erasmus, African Pride Wines aims to produce enjoyable and easily accessible wines that express the individual characters of the grapes they use.

The Footprint brand name originated from a statement made by Mike. Once he had finished touring the cap to find growers that he would like to work with he said "my footprint must be in every vineyard in the Cape."

A deep, ruby red colour, the Footprint 'The Long Walk' Merlot has soft aromas of plums and mulberries with a touch of spice. The mulberries and plums carry through on to the rich and juicy palate where they are joined by raspberry flavours and hints of dark chocolate that add to the complexity of the wine. Firm tannins add structure.