Marsovin has officially inaugurated its Cheval Franc Estate in Wardija, located along terraces on the hill overlooking St Paul's Islands.

Marsovin chairman Tony Cassar said the six hectares of land for the site had been painstakingly bought up over several years as it was considered to be the perfect site to provide this premium wine. The estate is Marsovin's second largest.

It was specifically chosen for its proximity to the sea and the vines have been carefully lined up to make the most of the prevailing breezes. The estate's terroir (land and soil characteristics) yields grapes with an aroma that is more intense than usual. The Cheval Franc is medium-bodied with peppery and herbaceous aromas, which are typical characteristics of the Cabernet Franc grape variety.

Cheval Franc is made entirely from Cabernet Franc grapes grown on the estate. This is the only Maltese wine to be made predominantly from the Cabernet Franc grape variety, balanced with a touch of Syrah.

The name of the wine is derived from years of family tradition. "Franc" denotes the grape variety while "Cheval" evokes the love for horses of Marsovin's late chairman, Joseph Cassar.

Over the years Cheval Franc has increased in popularity, not only in Malta but also in the export markets, Marsovin said. Marsovin had put much effort into developing an efficient export distribution network in Europe and the wine has found its niche in Germany, Holland, France, Norway and Sweden, among others. Marsovin owns 175 tumoli of land that make up their five estates.

The others are the Marnisi Estate in Marsaxlokk, the Ramla Valley Estate in Gozo, the Wardija Valley Estate and the Ghajn Rihana Estate between Bidnija and Wardija.