There’s a “Texique” About Him
If you’ve ever walked into our restaurant at Kiepersol, you’ve seen the striking photo at the entry: a handsome man in a black cowboy hat, glass in hand, mountains in the background. Guests sometimes ask, “Is that Greg Norman?” What? No. It’s Pierre de Wet, our founder, captured in a quiet moment in South Africa. Lost in the taste of Pinotage grapes at a vineyard that had graciously kept their doors open for us at closing time.
I took this picture of Pierre in 2014, and while he may never have wanted his face on a label, I thought this photo felt different. He isn’t looking at the camera; in fact, I think he was about to spit out some wine seeds after tasting the grapes. But he was simply being himself, gears turning, soaking up the sun, and appreciating what these vines were producing. He felt at home on any farm in the world. And this felt like the right way to honor him.
The Wine That Carried His Touch
Texique wasn’t a planned label. It was born from a red blend Pierre was experimenting with, the last wine he touched in the cellar before his passing in 2016. He had a sensitivity to bitterness, so he favored wines that were elegant, layered, and never harsh. He would say he liked ‘comfortable wines’. So the 2013 Texique Red Blend carried that fingerprint: silky smooth yet seasoned, with tobacco, smoky, and dusty notes that reflected his own character. Since then, Texique has only been bottled when a wine rises to the occasion.
Wrestling With What “It” Was
When finding a way to honor him as well as this last wine he touched, we thought about what a unique person he was and how he had truly become a unique Texan. A native of South Africa, he brought with him a rare blend of charm, grit, and joy that made him distinctly Texan in spirit. People often said he had a certain Texique about him, a word that captured his uniqueness. We trademarked it for beverages, but in truth, it was who he was…A Texan of unique character that has no equal.
Out of Africa
The famous opening line from the movie Out of Africa was, “I had a farm in Africa...” He’d often use this line and purposefully deepen his raspy voice and then laugh and add, “…I flew to Texas as fast as I could.” That little wink of humor is now etched into the Texique label in gold. It’s our nod to the way Pierre lived life with sincerity, perspective, and always a grin.
And, no, the sign in the vineyard on the label did not always read ‘LOVE’ as it does on the label today. The original photo said ‘Pinotage’ at the end of a row. This infamous South African grape is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. But putting Pinotage on a label for something that is a blend of red grapes from Texas was going to be pretty confusing. So, ‘love’ it is!
The original photo, 2014.
This Latest Vintage
So if 2013 was the first vintage, it’s only fitting that this full story comes out 10 years later with the 2023 vintage Texique. The 2023 continues that tradition of rarity and character and is truly for the classic Burgundy Pinot Noir lover. Big, silky, and smooth, it reflects the palate of the Texique series, with an edginess and worn creases that take perspective to appreciate. It is truly the purest expression of our vineyard and terroir.
The nose opens with deep cocoa, red cherry, raspberry, and buttery caramel, evolving into dusty red plum and chocolate-covered cherries. On the palate, its ease brings a hint of sweet cherry tobacco and a buttery pie crust, layered with vanilla and plum notes.
A Legacy in Every Vintage
So Texique isn’t about making wine every year. It’s about knowing when the vineyard and cellar come together in a way that’s worthy of carrying Pierre’s spirit forward. For us, Texique is more than a label, it’s a living tribute to a man who blended two worlds, Africa and Texas, into one unforgettable life.
Kelly Doherty is the Branding and Marketing Director of Kiepersol. A photographer, graphic designer, and writer at heart, the winery and vineyard are the inspired backdrop for Kelly’s creative endeavors.
She holds a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, is a Certified Specialist of Wine, and loves sharing wine stories.
