Yo El Rey, 8:49 Syrah Grenache 2020

This is 70% Syrah from Stellenbosch, and 30% Grenache Noir from the Breedekloof. There were varying degrees of whole bunch maceration across several different fermentations done in plastic bins, and everything was then individually pressed to old oak barrels for about 11 months of ageing before being filtered before bottling.

'8:49 is reference to a story my friend Tom once told me. He had visited his family friends in Stellenbosch, and after leaving, realised he had forgotten his Casio wristwatch there. Somehow, the family dog chewed the timepiece, and set the alarm for 8:49PM every night. So it became a ritual where his friends would switch off the alarm, and send him pictures of their meal, a glass of wine, a selfie of them cheersing. We all now have our alarms set for 8:49PM every night, and it's a wonderful reminded to be present for a second, and celebrate the people in your life that mean the most to you.'

Yo El Rey Wines was founded in 2017. Owner/winemaker Angelo van Dyk was born and raised in South Africa, and his move to London was rooted in wanting to expose himself to the exciting wine scene in the U.K. What was meant to be a year's hiatus snowballed into seven during which Angelo met some incredible people and saw some amazing places. Without all of this, Yo El Rey would not exist.

Yo El Rey means "I, the King", and was inspired by a young Pablo Picasso who signed an early self-portrait with this tagline. It's become a mantra that has propelled this dream to make wine. It's a reminder to always believe in both yourself and your dreams, and to never, ever give up on the journey.

Angelo's hope is that these wines are first and foremost approachable and delicious, and leave the drinker filled with a sense of freedom. These wines are for people like you and me, people who dare to dream and adventure, and who live lives that are truly free. They are made to celebrate your journey, and the road you are travelling.

​Yo El Rey wines are produced in Stellenbosch. The winery doesn't own a vineyard, and so sources grapes from farmers around the Cape wine lands who take pride in the fruit that they produce.