Blankbottle, Orbitofrontal Cortex, Western Cape, South Africa, 2025

Producer Profile

Starting out making wine in a friends garage, Pieter Walser is today one of South Africa’s most engaging and original winemakers.

His rejection of convention in favour of curiosity, instinct and storytelling sets him and his wines apart. Founded in 2004, the tale of Blankbottle began when a lady came to Pieter asking for anything but Shiraz. ‘I don’t drink Shiraz’ were her exact words. He poured her a glass of wine. She loved it and bought 3 cases. It was a straight Shiraz. That was the moment he realised that people really do judge a book by its cover. By removing the cultivar from the bottle, you also remove preconceived ideas. Each release is treated as an individual narrative, with no grape varieties listed and no fixed stylistic boundaries. Pieter owns no vineyards but seeks out top quality fruit from exceptional sites across the Western Cape, often tiny parcels that slip beneath the radar. 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 Pieter, 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

The creation of Pieter’s conscious mind and assembled from his favourite parcel from the cellar. It began following an unusual scientific experiment, where electrodes were attached to Pieter’s head and body as he tasted through wines from the cellar. The resulting wine, determined by his un-conscious mind, was named ‘Limbic’ after the part of the brain used to process emotion. At the same time Pieter put together another version using the same components. The results were very different but since 2015 only ‘Orbitofrontal Cortex’ has continued to be made using fruit from 17 Western Cape sites.

Winemaking

The combination of fruit from 17 Western Cape sites, including Grenache Blanc (Piekenierskloof), Clairette Blanche and Fernão Pires (Swartland), plus Semillon (Elgin) and Verdelho (Voor Paardeberg), brought together in this defining blend created from Pieter's conscious brain. His favourite barrels, tank selections and varietals from a range of different sites across the winelands, then aged 10 months in old French oak.

Tasting Note

A deliciously unique blend, with lime and rose petals, green apple, orange zest, backed with toasted almond characters, multi-layered and charmingly complex. Reflecting Pieter’s focus on overlooked, high-quality vineyards.

Food matching

This versatile white pairs well with roast chicken, pork, grilled seafood or creamy dishes, with soft cheeses also enhancing its texture and depth.