South Africa’s oldest wine estates

10th September, 2014 by Lauren Eads

Blaauwklippen – 1682, Stellenbosch

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Located in Stellenbosch, the name Blaauwklippen comes from the dutch word meaning “blue rocks”. Blaauwklippen is one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa dating back to 1682 when it was founded by Gerrit Jansz Visser, however its first vineyards were planted in 1688. Today it produces a red range of mostly red grape varities such as Malbec, Shiraz and Zinfandel, alongside a range of speciality brandies.

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6 Responses to “South Africa’s oldest wine estates”

simon leschallas says:

September 10, 2014 at 1:30 pm

Dear Lauren,
We represent Vondeling Wines from the Voor Paardeberg, SA. They have been growing grapes since 1704. In 2002, Vondeling was bought by the present owners.
All information is available on our website above. If you need any further info, do please email me.
yours
Simon

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Peter Gent says:

September 10, 2014 at 1:36 pm

Please don’t leave out the new areas in South Africa
The Plettenberg bay region has been making wine since 2004 with award winning wines coming from this coastal area

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Ken Forrester says:

September 10, 2014 at 2:15 pm

Ken Forrester Vineyards was first granted by Simon Van Der Stel, the first Governor of the Cape in 1689. The first vines were planted in 1692 and grapes have been cultivated here ever since. In 1993 Ken and Teresa Forrester bought the property and rescued the derelict homestead built in 1694 and have recently celebrated 20 years of wine making here in the Helderberg on the ocean side of Stellenbosch

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Hein Koegelenberg says:

September 10, 2014 at 8:53 pm

La Motte was founded in 1695.Vineswere planted by the French Huguenots when they arrived in Franschhoek 1688.Dr Rupert bought the farm in 1969 and replanted the vines.

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rijk melck says:

September 19, 2014 at 10:22 am

Dear Lauren,great article. Thought i might add that Muratie Wine Estate rates up there . Granted in 1685 to a soldier Laurens Campher ,this Estate is welknown for its rich history ,heritage and great stories. Producing classic -styled wines ,this Estate huge in character has become one of the ‘under the radar” must visits .

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marion mertins says:

September 22, 2014 at 3:06 am

Hi Lauren,

you wrote – “Today South African wines are absolutely represented on the world stage gaining international recognition”

“gaining recognition” has long been surpassed – South African wine has already achieved a solid stage in the hard market overseas, especially in Europe. The recent Nederberg auction, again, showed a specific demand… although the knowledge of international wine buyers has always been impeccable when making their SA choices.

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