The name De Wetshof has been synonymous with the production of fine wines in South Africa since the 1970’s. As the first registered wine estate in the Robertson Wine Valley, De Wetshof has become known internationally as South Africa’s eminent Chardonnay House due to the pioneering role it played in introducing this noble Burgundian grape to the country.
The De Wet family’s winemaking heritage can, however, be traced back to 1694 when the first De Wets arrived at the Cape and immediately made a mark on the South African wine industry.
Today, De Wetshof is one of the few third generation wine estates in South Africa. Here Danie de Wet, proprietor and cellarmaster, is assisted by sons Johann (viticulture and marketing) and Peter (winemaker).
Danie is a pioneer of noble white wines in South Africa and has also introduced superior red cultivars to the Robertson Wine Valley. A graduate of the Geisenheim Institute in Germany, one of the world’s leading centres for the study of viticulture and cellar technology, De Wet’s wines express the uniqueness of the soils of De Wetshof and meticulous attention to detail, while state-of-the-art technology ensures that the work in the cellar complements the gifts of nature’s vineyards.
With its crisp white buildings, rose bushes and jacaranda trees, the Estate has become a well-known landmark in the Robertson wine valley. The cellar façade is based on the renowned and historic First Customs House in Cape Town, while the tasting room/administration offices is a replica of the Koopmans/De Wet House in Strand Street, Cape Town, dating back to 1791. Both buildings were designed by Louis Michel Thibault one of the most renowned architects of early Cape architecture.
Thousands of local and foreign tourists visit the De Wetshof winery each year for a taste of history and a glimpse into the future of South African wine.
The name De Wetshof has been synonymous with the production of fine wines in South Africa since the 1970’s. As the first registered wine estate in the Robertson Wine Valley, De Wetshof has become known internationally as South Africa’s eminent Chardonnay House due to the pioneering role it played in introducing this noble Burgundian grape to the country.
The De Wet family’s winemaking heritage can, however, be traced back to 1694 when the first De Wets arrived at the Cape and immediately made a mark on the South African wine industry.
Today, De Wetshof is one of the few third generation wine estates in South Africa. Here Danie de Wet, proprietor and cellarmaster, is assisted by sons Johann (viticulture and marketing) and Peter (winemaker).
Danie is a pioneer of noble white wines in South Africa and has also introduced superior red cultivars to the Robertson Wine Valley. A graduate of the Geisenheim Institute in Germany, one of the world’s leading centres for the study of viticulture and cellar technology, De Wet’s wines express the uniqueness of the soils of De Wetshof and meticulous attention to detail, while state-of-the-art technology ensures that the work in the cellar complements the gifts of nature’s vineyards.
With its crisp white buildings, rose bushes and jacaranda trees, the Estate has become a well-known landmark in the Robertson wine valley. The cellar façade is based on the renowned and historic First Customs House in Cape Town, while the tasting room/administration offices is a replica of the Koopmans/De Wet House in Strand Street, Cape Town, dating back to 1791. Both buildings were designed by Louis Michel Thibault one of the most renowned architects of early Cape architecture.
Thousands of local and foreign tourists visit the De Wetshof winery each year for a taste of history and a glimpse into the future of South African wine.
Heavy clay soils rich in limestone allow this Chardonnay to emit optimum varietal expression in a cloak of rich complexity. An un-wooded wine, Limestone Hill has notes of grapefruit and nuts, with the complexity balanced by a nuanced elegance ending with a delicate ripeness.
Unique mineral flavours and fine lemony complexity. An elegant wine, matured in small French oak barrels for 12 months. This premier vineyard, one of the oldest Chardonnay vineyards in South Africa, was planted in July 1987 from a very special selection of plant material which had been imported from Burgundy some years before. The size of the vineyard is 3,51Ha on which 13,668 vines are planted.
The De Wetshof Sauvignon Blanc is soft with mild acids allowing fresh tropical flavours to come to the fore. Hints of green and ripe figs are present and the finish is crisp with a lasting clean minerality.
This Methode Cap Classique with its charming salmon color has a persistent bubble and a lively rich mousse. On the nose it expresses brioche, dark fruit and flowers, while the palate is alive with citrus and berry notes complemented by a slight hint of baked biscuits. This wine typifies a good Methode Cap Classique’s ability to offer wines that are fresh, lively yet elegant.
The soils’ limestone and clay components help the vines to develop strong citrus flavours with a pronounced nuttiness on the mid-palate which leads through to a clean finish with zesty citrus notes.
This Bordeaux-style wine captures the essence of one of the worlds great classical red cultivars to create a wine of elegance, power and individuality. The soil, sun and aspect of De Wetshof allows the wine to express freshness, power, elegance and a delicate plushness. Here intense dark berries, bittersweet chocolate and pencil shavings abound, while palate weight, depth of presence and a lasting finish enhance the experience of drinking a red wine of substance and pedigree.
Soils rich in limestone and broken mountain rock on De Wetshofs site-specific vineyards allow this wine to emit optimum varietal expression. An unwooded wine, Bon Vallon has a brisk and clean freshness leading into a wide spectrum of classic flavours including citrus, wild flowers and grilled nuts, with a nuanced minerality on the aftertaste.
