About
Founded by recognised winemaker Cathy Marshall in 1997, the Barefoot Wine Company was one of the first true ‘boutique/micro-wineries’ in the Western Cape, establishing a then ground-breaking, alternative approach, characterised by the use of a low-tech, but meticulous hands-on methodology which set the trend for the burgeoning garagiste movement. Thanks to Cathy’s tireless efforts, the company grew from humble beginnings (with a handful of friends and family gathering at harvest-time to press the grapes barefoot) to become an institution – inspiring hundreds of enthusiastic participants to attend the annual BWC foot-stomps! Her prowess has earned her a well-founded reputation for excellence. Since those early days, she has travelled the globe to hone her winemaking skills and is particularly proud of all her wines, especially her Pinot Noir – the change of name from the Barefoot Wine Co to Catherine Marshall Wines just says it all!
Cathy has long term relationships with growers, sourcing her grapes only where the match between terroir and grape are assured of producing the very best wines.
Featured wine
Finite Elements Pinot Noir, Catherine Marshall Wines
2016 - Tim Atkin MW: 95 pts; Platter: 4.5*
Peter's Vision Bordeaux Blend, Catherine Marshall Wines
2016 - Tim Atkin MW: 94 pts
Videos
Jamie Goode and Greg Sherwood MW
In this Instagram video, Jamie Goode and Greg Sherwood MW review Cathy's 'amazing' Chenin Blanc Fermented in Clay.
Dan Really Likes Wine
Cathy Marshall's Pinot Noir on Sandstone Soils features in Dan Nicholl's review of Elgin wines, described by Dan as a 'desert island wine'.
Dan’s Epic Wine Route – Elgin Part II
Recent awards
Tim Atkin's South African Report 2017
Cathy's wines did extremely well in the recent Tim Atkin report, with five of her wines scoring 91 points and over, including 94 points for 2015 Peter's Vision, and 95 for 2016 Finite Elements Pinot Noir.