Terroir & Vineyards

Our Terroir and Vineyards

Our vines are planted on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountains, benefitting from high-potential soils and the ideal growing conditions for our favoured varieties. The slopes feature a granite mother material, high in clay content with mainly Tukulu and Oakleaf soil families. A large portion of the vineyard is devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon with dedicated blocks planted facing north and north-east to absorb as much sunlight as possible. This is the key to producing the fuller and fruitier wines of Ernie Els fame.

Climate Conditions

The climate is warm and Mediterranean, with around 650mm annual rainfall, and situated 140 - 270m above sea level. Plantings include 9 different Cabernet Sauvignon natural clones, carefully selected for specific qualities, with the most important being the Cabernet Sauvignon 412 clone from Gironde - the first of its kind to be planted for commercial sale in South Africa in 2014.

Viticulturist, Leander Koekemoer

Leander obtained his Master’s degree in Viticulture in 2008, thus proving his dedication to the field, and joined our team in 2015. He has a talent for effectively preparing our soils and resourcefully manages them as best as possible to produce grapes of a high quality and thereby maintain our reputation for producing premium wines. Leander’s incredible passion for his job is evident in his careful management of the vines and the results of this can be seen in our wines.