From South Africa's Oldest Vines

SA Wine From Old Vines

“In all the winelands of the world, old vines get proudly mentioned on labels, in many languages. Such is the value everywhere accorded to old vineyards and the wines they produce. Only in one country, South Africa, is it possible for that claim to be certified by the regulatory authority. Here, members of the Old Vine Project (OVP) can put a Certified Heritage Vineyards seal on bottles of wine made from vineyards of 35 years or older, together with the planting date” – OVP founder Rosa Kruger. “Do old vines make better wine? I believe they very often do. Age in vines brings an intensity, a perceived freshness, a texture and a sense of place. They show less fresh fruit and varietal character, and more terroir and soil…”

The following reds, whites and sweets are made from the grapes of vines at least 50 years old, some over 100. Click on the producers’ names below or on the labels above for more about the wines and the stories behind them.

AA BADENHORST

• AA Badenhorst Golden Slopes from Chenin Blanc vines planted in 1968, WO Swartland
• AA Badenhorst Kelder Steen from Chenin Blanc vines planted in 1972, WO Swartland
• AA Badenhorst Klip Kop Steen from Chenin Blanc vines planted in 1966, WO Swartland
• AA Badenhorst Raaigras Grenache from vines planted in 1952, WO Swartland
• AA Badenhorst Ramnasgras Cinsault from vines planted in 1954, WO Swartland
• AA Badenhorst Ringmuur Cinsault from vines planted in 1963, WO Swartland
• AA Badenhorst Sk’windjiesvlei Tinta Barocca from vines planted in 1962, WO Swartland

ALHEIT

• La Colline Vineyard / Monument from Semillon vines planted in 1936, WO Franschhoek

ANTHONIJ RUPERT

• Cape of Good Hope Van Lill & Visser Chenin Blanc from vines planted in 1965, WO Citrusdal Mountain
• Kaap de Goede Hoop Laing Groendruif from Semillon vines planted in 1956, WO Citrusdal Mountain

BELLEVUE

• Bellevue 1953 Pinotage from vines planted in 1953, WO Bottelary-Stellenbosch

BLACK ELEPHANT

• The Dark Side of the Vine from Semillon vines planted in 1905, WO Franschhoek

BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF

• Boekenhoutskloof Semillon from vines planted between 1902 and 1942, WO Franschhoek

BOSMAN

• Bosman Optenhorst Chenin Blanc from vines planted in 1952, WO Wellington

CHAMONIX

• Chamonix Old Vine Steen from vines planted in 1965, WO Franschhoek

DASCHBOSCH

• Dashbosch Hanepoot from Muscat d’Alexandrie vines planted in 1900, WO Breedekloof
• Dashbosch Mossiedrift Steen from Chenin Blanc vines planted in 1960, WO Breedekloof

DAVID & NADIA

• David & Nadia Hoe-Steen Chenin Blanc from vines planted in 1962, WO Swartland

DE WAAL

• De Waal Top of the Hill from Pinotage vines planted in 1947, WO Stellenbosch

KAAPZICHT

• The 1947 Chenin Blanc from vines planted in 1947, WO Bottelary-Stellenbosch

KANONKOP

• Kanonkop Black Label Pinotage from vines planted in 1953, WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

KEEERMONT

• Keermont Riverside Chenin Blanc from vines planted in 1971, WO Stellenbosch

KEN FORRESTER

• Dirty Little Secret from Chenin vines planted in 1965, WO Piekenierskloof

KLAWER

• Villa Esposto Muscat d’Alexandrie Straw Wine from vines planted in 1966, WO Olifants River

KLEIN AMOSKUIL

• The Amos Block Organic Sauvignon Blanc from vines planted in 1965, WO Swartland
• The Amos Block Perpetual Reserve (Sherry-Style) from Sauvignon Blanc vines planted in 1965, WO Swartland

LAMMERSHOEK

• Lammershoek Chenin Blanc Reserve from vines planted in 1966/68, WO Paardeberg, Swartland

LEEU PASSANT

• Leeu Passant Franschhoek Old Vines Lötter Cinsault from vines planted in 1932, WO Franschhoek
• Leeu Passant Wellington Old Vines Basson Cinsault from vines planted in 1900, WO Wellington

NABYGELEGEN

• Nabygelegen Chenin Blanc from vines planted in 1951, WO Wellington

NAUDÉ

• Naudé Old Vines Werfdans Cinsault from vines planted in 1968, WO Western Cape (Darling)

NEIL ELLIS

• Neil Ellis Piekenierskloof Grenache from vines planted in early 1960s, WO Piekenierskloof

OLD ROAD

• Old Road Grand-mère Semillon from vines planted in 1936, WO Franschhoek

PIEKENIERSKLOOF

• Piekenierskloof Bergendal Old Vine Chenin Blanc from vines planted in 1962, WO Piekenierskloof-Citrusdal Mountain
• Piekenierskloof Samson Straw Wine from Muscat de Frontignan vines planted in 1962, WO Piekenierskloof-Citrusdal Mountain

RICKETY BRIDGE

• The Pilgrimage Old Vine Semillon from vines planted in 1905, WO Franschhoek

ROODEKRANTZ

• Roodekrantz Old Bush Vine Cinsaut from vines planted in 1954, WO Paarl

RUSTENBERG

• Rustenberg Muscat of Alexandria (fortified) from vines planted in 1932, WO Calitzdorp

SADIE FAMILY

• Kokerboom from Semillon vines planted in the 1930s, WO Olifants River
• Mev Kirsten from Chenin Blanc vines planted in 1942, WO Jonkershoek Valley, Stellenbosch
• Skerpioen (blend of Chenin Blanc and Palomino) from vines planted in the 1960s, WO Swartland
• Skurfberg from Chenin Blanc vines planted between 1940 and 1955, WO Olifants River
• ‘T Voetpad (blend of Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Palomino and Muscat d’Alexandrie) from vines planted between 1920 and 1928, WO Swartland

SALTARE

• Saltare Old Vine Chenin Blanc from vines planted in 1971, WO Paardeberg-Swartland

SAVAGE

• Never Been Asked to Dance from Chenin vines planted in 1956, WO Paarl

SILWERVIS

• Silwervis Chenin from vines planted in 1964, WO Swartland

SLALEY

• Slaley Pinotage from vines planted in 1955, WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

STELLENRUST

• Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc from vines planted in 1964, WO Bottelary-Stellenbosch
• Stellenrust Douwe Steyn from Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted in 1942, WO Stellenbosch
• Stellenrust Old Bush Vine Cinsaut from vines planted in 1964, WO Bottelary-Stellenbosch