2024 The Liberator Episode 48 – The Three Graces

Followers of The Foundry may already know Chris Williams and Rick have a long history. Chris doesn’t own vineyards, so he buys all his grapes, usually making single-varietal wines. The Three Graces is different: it’s the first red blend ever made at The Foundry, inspired by a tiny first harvest of Graciano grapes from the southern Swartland. Graciano, a rare Spanish variety from Rioja, almost disappeared due to low yields but is prized for adding finesse and ageing potential to blends, and this may be the first commercial example grown in the Cape. After fermenting and ageing the wine in a barrel and a clay amphora, Chris showed it to Rick, who felt it needed support, so they blended in Grenache, a key Rioja variety, plus a small amount of Grenache Blanc to fit a Spanish theme. The name The Three Graces reflects both the grape Graciano and Greek mythology, where the Graces represent charm, beauty, and creativity. The label takes inspiration from Pablo Picasso’s ceramic works and mythology, reinterpreted by artist Eddie Haumann, with the clay amphora used in ageing the wine influencing the final design.