The vineyards lie at the foot of the
Helderberg Mountain, near the Blouklip River, in a region between Stellenbosch
and Somerset West that has become famous over generations for its exceptional
wines. The history of the farm itself dates back to the 1600s.
The new wine tasting room is open
throughout the week and closed only on selected public holidays. It was
re-invented to make full use of the estate’s rich heritage and the magnificent
vineyard, while maintaining the surroundings.
“Those who’ve been here in the past know
how small our tasting room was; we’ve always let the wine speak for itself and
it has, very successfully,” says Stellenzicht winemaker Guy Webber. “But our
wine is also about showing provenance – a sense of origin. The new tasting room
was conceived to showcase that heritage.”
The design of the space was undertaken by
architect Tony Totten and reflects the essence of Stellenzicht, whose wines
have won it numerous awards. A ceiling-to-floor aerial photograph shows amongst
others, the proximity of the farm to the ocean and the mountains; large
interior windows provide a view into the wine cellar itself; the balcony has
been extended into the gardens; and an artwork by assistant winemaker Nataleé Botha,
who used wine as the painting medium, outlines the philosophical essence of the
estate’s winemaking approach – the pursuit of perfect balance.
“Provenance is not just about place,” says
Webber, “It’s also about history, our community and relationships, even in the
simplest way. The new tasting room tables and benches, for example, are
recycled from the old wooden stairway.
“There’s a Stinkwood my boys played in as
children, who recently posed all grown up and sporting beards for a photograph
with me under its branches. And that tree,” he says, showing another, “was
donated by a longtime friend and Stellenzicht neighbour who has since passed
away. There are many stories here, and it’s like that with the wines too.”
The opening of the tasting room coincides
with the start of the farm’s popular Sundowner Picnic Concert season, which
features live music on the last Friday of the month throughout the summer
months, to the end of March.
Stellenzicht Vineyards is open to the
public, Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00; Saturdays, Sundays and public
holidays from 10:00 to 16:00. It is closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and
Good Friday. Cellar tours are on offer by prior arrangement. Find them on
Stellenrust Road, Stellenbosch, or call +27 (0) 21 880 1103. For more
information email info@stellenzicht.co.za or visit www.stellenzicht.co.za.
Stellenzicht is part of the Cape Legends, an extensive collection of superlative quality, award-winning
wines from several boutique estates situated in and around the Cape Winelands.