Talk about a success story! Launched in 2019, the first of Koelenhof Winery’s flagship Stellenbosch 1679 range was the 2017 Bush Vine Chenin Blanc. Soon thereafter The Legacy red was introduced, a Cape Bordeaux-style blend, and then came the Pinotage and the Cabernet Sauvignon. All now with awards and high ratings to their name over a number of vintages, living up to the positioning statement of ‘where history and fine wine meet’.
Founded in 1941 as a cooperative representing a group of visionary grape growers in the Koelenhof area of Stellenbosch – which dates back to 1679 as the second-oldest town/wine district in South Africa after Cape Town – the winery has grown in size and stature. Back in the day, Koelenhof Winery’s focus was on the production and sale of bulk wine, but the number of shareholders has grown to 67, the cellar has been bottling its own wines since 1974 and today the names Koelenhof, Koelenbosch and Stellenbosch 1679 are admired internationally.
Prior to 2019, the farmers’ and winemakers’ emphasis was on good quality and good value. These remain cornerstones of the business, but the powers that be were intent on stepping up a gear or three in a quest to produce wines that stand shoulder to shoulder with South Africa’s finest and which can compete on the world stage. That they’ve done, and in less than a decade.
Stellenbosch 1679 Bush Vine Chenin Blanc
A single-vineyard wine made with carefully selected grapes from an old block of bush vines planted in 1982 by Francois du Bois on the farm Sonop. Soils mainly granite type. Fermentation in French oak barrels and amphora pots. Recent accolades: gold medals for the 2024 and 2023 vintages at the Global Chenin Blanc Masters (UK); gold at the Global Fine Wine Challenge (AU) for the 2022 vintage, which earlier achieved 95/100 at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (UK) and a Master award at the Global Chenin Blanc Masters…
Stellenbosch 1679 Old Vine Pinotage
A single-vineyard wine made using grapes from an old block of raised bush vines planted in 1975 by Bennie van der Westhuizen on the farm Skoonheid. Soils mainly Tukulu and Dresden on shale. Open-top fermenters. Aged in French oak barrels. Recent accolades: the 2022 vintage scored 97+ at the Global Wine Masters (UK), 95/100 at the Fine Wine Awards (SA) and was a winner in the Absa Top 10 Pinotage Competition (SA); the 2021 vintage was a winner in the Absa Top 10 Pinotage Competition and a double gold medallist at the Veritas Awards (SA)…
Stellenbosch 1679 Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine made using grapes from trellised vines planted in 1999 by Alberto Capri on the farm Fraaiuitsig. Granite soils (Oakleaf and Tukulu). Rotor fermenters. Aged in French oak barrels. Recent accolades: a gold medal for the 2022 vintage at the Global Cabernet Sauvignon Masters (UK); 2021 vintage scored 93/100 at the Decanter World Wine Awards (UK)…
Stellenbosch 1679 The Legacy
A traditional Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (12.5%), Cabernet Franc (12.5%), Petit Verdot (12.5%) and Malbec (12.5%) that gives recognition to all the families who have been part of the Koelenhof journey since day one – producers, management and cellar staff. Vines planted around 2004 in granite soils (Oakleaf, Tukulu and Clovelly). Rotor fermenters. Aged in French oak barrels. Recent accolades: 2022 vintage scored 93/100 at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (UK); 2020 vintage earned a gold medal at the Global Wine Masters (UK)…
Article sponsored by Koelenhof Winery
