10 YEARS AGO it wasn't a name you'd be familiar with on the shelves of wine stores and supermarkets. Today it's renowned as one of South Africa's top labels in terms of quality and interest value…
Leeuwenkuil (lion's lair) was named after the large cats that once roamed the area, preying on the cattle. Founded in 1800 upon the subdivision of a property called Schinderkuijl, which dates back to 1693, Leeuwenkuil was acquired by the Dreyer family in 1851. Seven generations later, Willie Dreyer inherited half of the farm with its manor house in the south-eastern reaches of the Swartland, and together with his wife Emma and their team they've grown the area under vine from 45ha to 1250ha, making them the biggest vineyard owners in the Cape Coastal Region with their 30m-litre-capacity cellar in the Windmeul area of Paarl.
The Dreyers' proud legacy includes significant investment into preserving old vineyards while continuously planting new ones. Much of their production is exported under customers' labels – only the finest 1% is bottled under Leeuwenkuil's own labels in their Classic, Reserve and Heritage ranges – all Fair for Life, IPW, vegan-friendly and 100% Swartland Wine of Origin. It's a respect for provenance that guides their winemaking philosophy of producing “intriguingly honest, terroir-driven” Swartland wines – “wild-fermented in a restrained style”.
The Classic range comprises a Chenin Blanc, Shiraz and a Rosé, all going for R95pb at the end-2025, prior to the industry's annual general price increases in March 2026. The Reserves include a Chenin and a red blend comprising Shiraz, Cinsault, Mourvèdre and Cabernet Sauvignon, both at R150pb – the 2024 Leeuwenkuil Reserve Chenin Blanc scored 97/100 at the Trophy Wine Show and 96/100 in Platter's 2026 South African Wine Guide. And then there's the Heritage range, a Chenin Blanc and a Syrah selling at R460pb – the 2022 Leeuwenkuil Heritage Syrah awarded Five Stars, named ‘Shiraz of the Year' and the most highly rated red wine at 99/100 in Platter's 2026 guide.
“The best wines are made in the vineyard,” stresses Leeuwenkuil cellarmaster Pieter Carstens. Take the Shiraz, for example: “For more than 25 years, the ‘Beacon Block' vineyard has been nurtured with great expectations – and trepidation at times. Our Heritage Syrah is a celebration of the Swartland's wild beauty, where dryland vines dig deep and concentration comes naturally.”
Currently, the Leeuwenkuil cellar is open to the public for wine-tastings and sales by appointment only. It's a case of online sales and a retail presence in the main centres across the country. However, a tasting room is in the pipeline, and in the meantime fans are invited to make an appointment or to join the Inner Circle for a Winemakers' Tasting comprising an in-depth discussion about the elements that form the unique terroir, followed by a cellar tour and themed tasting. To join the mailing list for the next Inner Circle get-together or to book a private wine tasting for an individual, a couple or group, email marketing@leeuwenkuilfv.co.za
Article sponsored by Leeuwenkuil
