BOUTIQUE WINERIES
MOOIPLAAS
Mooiplaas Wine Estate and Private Nature Reserve is situated among the majestic mountains and fertile valleys in the Stellenbosch Winelands. The vineyards lie between two oceans on steep slopes of ancient mineral-rich soils in the sunny Bottelary Hills of Stellenbosch.
One of the most striking features of Mooiplaas is the uneven terrain, from the meadows on the valley floor to the watershed on top of the hills.
These topographical contrasts result in interesting differences in the microclimate. The different slopes and varying heights are the most important factors to consider when Tielman takes that first critical decision: the combination of cultivar and rootstock for each terroir. Cape Granite, the mother material of the soils on the estate, is prominently displayed as outcrops and domes along the hills. It is the weathering of this volcanic rock that gives rise to the soil on the farm.
HARTENBERG
Producer of the world's best Shiraz and home to a variety of other award winning South African wines. Hartenberg is nestled in a valley on the free-draining, north-eastern slopes of the Bottelary Hills. Vineyards face north,west, and east, with varietals planted to take advantage of either morning or afternoon sun. There is a difference in altitude of some 250 meters between the northern and southern vineyards.
Our underground cellar is the largest privately owned cellar in South Africa.
Commissioned in the late 1980's, our cellar plays gallery to twelve artworks by German coppersmith, Karl Heinz Wilhelm. They took two years to complete, and describe each of the twelve phases of cultivating and producing wine.
POST HOUSE
Hermann Gebers bought the farm in the picturesque area between the towns of Somerset West and Stellenbosch in 1981. Situated on a ridge, the winery offers panoramic views of Cape Point, False Bay and the surrounding Helderberg Mountains. This area is one of the preeminent wine regions of South Africa and falls under the ward of Stellenboch.
The farm was systematically planted to vine. In 1996, Nick Gebers made a couple of experimental barrels. Two vintages later, and after a stint in Burgundy, the first vintage was released. As the homestead on the farm had originally operated as a post office, serving the local missionary community of Raithby, it was a logical step to associate the wine with its postal origin. The wines were thus named Post House.
PULPIT ROCK
Pulpit Rock is situated on the foothills of the Kasteelberg Mountain – the Pulpit is a well known piece of the mountain background of the valley. The winery harvested its first grapes during the 2004 season and opened their doors to the public in October 2004. Grapes are received from the two farms owned by the Brink family, De Gift and Panorama. The family has been farming these lands for more than five decades.
This state of the art cellar has an overall production capacity of 1 000 tons, with two barrel maturing cellars.The grapes are chosen meticulously and harvested full ripe to achieve optimum quality, including good structure and prominent fruit. A combination of the latest equipment and traditional techniques are used to create world class wines.
GROOTE POST
Groote Post is a historic 18th century farm on the Cape's West Coast where winemaking traditions have been revived by the Pentz family. Unique aspects and cool climatic conditions of the Darling Hills yield superlative fruit.
Their wines are produced to reflect the uniqueness of their vineyards.
WATERFORD
Waterford Estate was created through a very special partnership between two families who had a shared dream to create a wine farm where life is cherished, the seasons mark time and the fruit always reminds of blessings, abundance and the beauty of nature.
Just as in winemaking, it is not about a single season, harvest or vintage - it's about continuity, longevity and perpetuation; building for the future and the generations to come.
The Waterford Way is a philosophy that celebrates prosperity, life, food, wine, family and friends, and guides all that we do here at Waterford. Every guest to the farm is made to feel a part of the Waterford Way, and those who have visited are drawn back often not only to the sumptuous wines, but to the heart and soul of Waterford.
STANFORD HILLS
Stanford is a relatively new wine production area which is showing tremendous potential. The proximity of Stanford Hills Estate to the coast ensures cool sea breezes during the hotter months, allowing the grapes to gently ripen at optimal speed.
Winemaker Peter Kastner believes that great wine is produced in the vineyard, and credits the wonderful soil and climate of the region for the quality of the Estate wines. All grapes used are produced on the farm itself and picked by hand to ensure only the best quality grapes are used for annual wine production.
The farm also makes a Méthode Cap Classique which is now available.
OUDE COMPAGNIES POST / SWANEPOEL
Owner Jerry Swanepoel and his wife, Henriette, are both lawyers practicing as an advocate and attorney respectively. They both practiced law in Cape Town but decided 23 years ago to raise their children in the country.
Their youngest son, Dirk now qualified as winemaker and viticulturist and after a stint in Sonoma California as winemaker and is now in charge of the cellar and marketing.
The dream to have a wine farm and to make wine has however always been there. “When we first saw the farm nestled high against the mountain and the spectacular view over the valley, we knew it was the right place to fulfill out dream for ourselves and our children. We’ve never looked back.”
The name Compagnies Wijn stems from the historical Verenigde Oost Indiese Compagnie (Dutch East India Company) who started an outpost in 1699 in the beautiful Tulbagh Valley.
The wines are produced on the farm Oude Compagnies Post, formally the outpost of the Dutch East India Company.
ORG DE RAC
At Org de Rac we are fortunate to grow about five different clones of each variety of red wine. This gives the winemaker the scope to create unique wines that express the individual characteristics of each site in the vineyard. Each clone is picked at the optimal time and kept apart from other clones, providing the winemaker with the building blocks to create complex wines. Top performing varietal clones are aged in barrels, some being used in the creation of Org de Rac’s Reserve range, or the ever-popular mid-range selection.
Org de Rac winemakers adhere to organic winemaking techniques, using only natural additives to enhance the quality of the wine. As a result, Org de Rac wines are ideal for vegans, and wine lovers that appreciate natural, healthier wines.
Org de Rac prides itself on its wide range of superior quality wines; we offer a wine to suit any taste and budget. Org de Rac wines are produced to the highest standards, using the best available technology, and with the utmost respect for the earth, its people and, above all, for you, the discerning wine lover.
GRANDE PROVENCE
Grande Provence Estate wears its 300 year history with dignity. Sitting in the magnificent Franschhoek Valley in South Africa’s Western Cape, its lush vines spread across 47 acres with gentle vistas over the valley floor and the rugged mountains beyond. This is heartland South African wine country at its very finest.
The story of Grande Provence is steeped in folklore. The estate range, called Angels Tears, had been around for more than 10 years when the legend began that angels had descending onto the estate during harvest and while sipping the wine they cried tears of joy. Our original wine in the range is the semi-sweet, to which we have added three more wines to complete the series. It is fruity, light and pleasant – wines that taste best when shared with friends.
Our newly rebranded label incorporates elements of the estate; butterflies, cherry blossoms and one of our local squirrels from the big oak tree. We have the first 100% Chenin Blanc/Muscat amphora wine which was nominated wine of the year by Tim James.
FROMENT-GRIFFON
Our History is both a family history and a love story. Love of the soil, love of the wine, love of bubbles! Our family has been working our vineyard since four generations at least and Mathias' parents created the Champagnes FROMENT-GRIFFON in 1970. Marie also comes from a wine grower family which has its roots between the Vallée de la Loire and the Champagne regions. After studies specialised in oenology and several experiences abroad, we took over the family estate in 2002.
Today, we are happy to follow the family tradition and we work every day in the estate to develop the Champagnes FROMENT-GRIFFON.
Our House is situated in Sermiers, a village classified as Premier Cru since 2003. This distinction is especially rare since the Champagne Crus were classified in 1927 and this highlights the qualities of this exceptional terroir. Our vineyard, composed of 6.65 hectares, covers 4 famous Crus of the Montagne de Reims: Sermiers, Chamery, Villers-Allerand and Gueux. The soils, dated from the tertiary era are a mix of clay, limestone and sand sometimes, in chalky subsoil. The Pinot Meunier fully reveals its qualities in it. The Pinot Noir and the Chardonnay bring power and elegance in their turn and participate in the richness and the aromatic complexity of our Champagnes.
