Blankbottle, Master of None, Western Cape, South Africa, 2025

Producer Profile

Blankbottle is the fiercely independent South African wine project of Pieter Walser, a winemaker known for rejecting convention in favour of curiosity, instinct and storytelling.

Founded in the early 2000s, the name stems from Walser’s early trade in unlabelled bottles and reflects his core philosophy: wine should be judged solely on what is in the glass, not what is written on the label. Each release is treated as an individual narrative, with no grape varieties listed and no fixed stylistic boundaries. Walser owns no vineyards, instead working as a modern-day négociant, sourcing fruit from exceptional sites across the Western Cape, often in extremely small parcels. The result is an ever-evolving portfolio of distinctive, site-driven wines, many of which are made only once and never repeated. Each label is handcrafted by owner-winemaker Pieter Walser, using a variety of techniques such as woodcuts, lino, pencil drawings, stencils etc. Having no indication of varietals on the label - leaving it BLANK - removing all preconceptions as to what lies beyond.

Viticulture

99% of wineries own the land they cultivate their grapes on. Pieter however, started making wine in his friend’s garage. He doesn't own land and therefore is not bound to a specific area. This wine is a celebration of that; a red blend of Wellington Grenache, Piekenierskloof Grenache, Breedekloof Cinsault, Stellenbosch Pinot Noir, Swartland Fernao Pires, Elgin Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenbosch Viognier, Stellenbosch Chardonnay, Wellington Viognier and a Stellenbosch White Blend.

Winemaking

The reds were picked at optimal ripeness and cooled overnight to 4 degrees celsius. The next morning the grapes were part destemmed and part taken as whole bunches to open top fermenters. Fermented spontaneously and left on the skins for 3 weeks. Pressed into older French oak barrels. 10 months - blended and bottled. The white were pressed as whole bunches with no additives. The juice underwent spontaneous fermentation in French oak, amphora and concrete tanks. 10 months on the lees, blended with the reds and bottled.

Tasting Note

Master of None blends, a mixologists dream, with 11 cultivars from 8 regions into a vibrant, lighter-style red, where the inclusion of white varieties adds lift and intrigue, reflecting diverse perspectives and storytelling. Deliciously juicy, packed full of blackberry, strawberry and cherry juice, with a herbal twist and pomegranate bitterness to the finish. A wine to be enjoyed, the ultimate 'vin de soif'!

Food matching

Best served lightly chilled. Great with charcuterie, pizza or grilled meats, and equally good lightly chilled.