In the world of fine wines, innovation often comes from a deep respect for tradition. Yet, Travis Braithwaite, a Canadian-South African winemaker, is pushing boundaries with Pangaea, a multicontinent wine crafted with legendary consultant Michel Rolland. As the world’s first superpremium, five-nation Bordeaux blend, Pangaea reflects Braithwaite’s bold vision: To create wines of the world that have never existed before. Braithwaite spoke with Crain Currency about his inspiration for Pangaea, his passion for blending varieties that traditionally don’t mix, and his ambition to redefine what’s possible in the wine industry.
When you conceived the idea for Pangaea, you were about to embark on a path that few winemakers had dared to take. What was that journey like for you?
It has been a journey of curiosity. I was curious to find out what would happen if the five grape varieties in a traditional Bordeaux blend were all allowed to reach optimal ripeness — each in its ideal terroir and climate, each on its own timing, each with the careful tending and knowledge of its local viticulturist and winemaking team. What kind of a blend would result from taking such focused care of each variety over an entire vintage in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, in the old world and the new?
It is still a journey of curiosity because every year, the blend changes according to the natural variations of vintage in five distinct places. I did not set out to make the “best” Bordeaux blend in the world. I set out to make something truly interesting that would inspire this sense of curiosity among other wine enthusiasts as well.
How did the concept for Pangaea come together?
The concept first occurred to me when I was working in consulting. My clients included a wide range of wine companies, both in South Africa and at the frontiers of winemaking, such as in China.
I knew from the start that to bring the “world wine” concept to life properly, I would need a great blender to join me in sourcing and blending each vintage and to give the idea additional gravitas and credibility. Michel Rolland is an absolute master of blending. I knew I wanted to work with him.
This took some time, though. Once I worked up the courage to call him and finally got him on the phone to explain my idea, he kindly but warily laid out his advice and his concerns. He told me to work out a few things and come back to him in a year. So I did. A year later, I called him again. At that point, he invited to me to visit him in Argentina. I got on a plane the next day. Since that meeting onward — and for more than a decade — we have been bringing the concept together with each vintage. We released the first vintage, 2015, in 2022; it is now sold out. The 2016 vintage is currently on the market. The 2017 vintage will release in a few months.
How do you see Pangaea fitting into an international wine collection?
I see Pangaea in the cellars of collectors who are both knowledgeable and curious. It appeals to people who love to tell a great story. On one hand, we source fruit from some of the world’s most renowned terroirs. World-class viticulturists and winemakers make up our global team. Of course, fine-wine lovers appreciate these qualities.
On the other hand, we are making a wine that is not immediately recognizable to practiced palates. Pangaea requires time to decant. It evolves dramatically over hours and even days. I usually double-decant it. I jokingly advise keeping a glass on your bedside table to see how it evolves overnight. Pangaea is for the international wine collection that holds some surprises among the icons.
What’s next for you?
I am working on some similarly ambitious projects at the moment. I also make a range of South African wines under the V Collection label.