The Story of Blankbottle:
Blankbottle offers something for those with an open mind and an adventurous spirit. Winemaker Pieter Walser is passionate about telling stories through his wines—both what’s in the bottle and what’s on the label. His goal is to provide an authentic, personal taste, free from the expectations often associated with specific vintages or styles. Pieter collaborates with skilled farmers and experienced viticulturists across the Western Cape and designs his own labels, ensuring a unique and creative expression in every bottle.
“In 2004, a lady came to my house (then also my office) to buy wine. She asked for anything but Shiraz. “I don’t drink Shiraz”, were her exact words. I poured her a glass of wine. She loved it and bought 3 cases. It was a straight Shiraz.” -Pieter Walser
The Story behind the Label:
In August 2011, while visiting a Carignan block between Darling and Hopefield, I got an urgent message to be in Cape Town within the hour. I asked the farmer for the quickest route — the Kortpad Kaaptoe (Afrikaans for “short road to Cape Town”). He pointed me past the Carignan, Shiraz, and then casually mentioned Fernao Pirez. I’d never heard of it. Turns out, these dry-farmed bush vines were planted by his grandfather nearly 40 years ago — a variety I didn’t even know existed in South Africa.
That unexpected discovery became the start of this wine. For me, it’s never just about the wine — it’s about the stories behind them, the history hiding in the vineyards.
The label reflects that spirit: a bold, AC/DC-inspired linocut printed on organic paper, finished with gold detail and hand-applied using old-school wet glue. It’s deliberately imperfect and natural — just like the wine inside.
The vineyard itself is like a desert, with 30cm of white sand over iron-rich Koffieklip soil. The old, unirrigated vines dig deep into the subsoil, tapping into a hidden water vein that keeps them alive in these tough conditions.
