Newton Johnson Vineyards is owned and managed by the Newton Johnson family. The farm is based in the upper Hemel en Aarde Valley near the seaside town of Hermanus, an hour and a half’s drive out of Cape Town. This is a popular tourist destination, famous for some of the most spectacular land-based whale watching in the world lush indigenous fynbos, a floral kingdom, home to 1500 species and exclusive to the Cape, mountain walks and bike trails.

The lower slopes of the Newton Johnson farm are undeniably suited to Rhône/Mediterranean grape varieties. Alluvial deposits of large stone fragments up to two metres deep require robust vines to search for nutrients and water. ‘FULL STOP ROCK’ is how we define this
jagged landscape.

Unlike Pinot noir that is sapped of its plump fruit and vitality, robust vines like Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre, thrive in this type of soil. When we pioneered the Syrah grape in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley little was known of the potential styles of Syrah-based blends from
the cooler South African wine areas. We were encouraged to discover clear-cut, invigorating wines with compact black fruit, spice, perfume, and sophisticated tannins.

Rich and generous with its wild flavour. Brooding black fruits, liquorice and mulberry are laced with black and white pepper, topped with the sweet floral notes of Grenache. Full liquorice flavour, with juicy red fruits in the periphery, and chewy tannins lasting in to the finish.

"Medium ruby coloured, the 2017 Full Stop Rock displays the telltale signs of Syrah, with a red-fruited lift from the Grenache and an earthiness from the Mourvèdre. Focused and correct on the palate, the black and red fruit tones are paired with savoury black pepper tones, wild red berry and subtle oak spices. The wine is clean and expressive in a very pleasing way, and it ends with a full and grippy finish that will allow the wine to age for years to come.
Drink 2019 - 2027.
89 points."
(Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate #245, October 2019 - commenting on a previous vintage)