Whilst returning from one such journey in 1704, the settlers arrived to discover their farm had been plundered and the manor house burnt to the ground, hence the estate’s name, Allesverloren –‘all is lost’.
However, since the formal registration of Allesverloren Estate in 1704, it is with curious irony that the fortune of the estate has been unusually happy considering its rather hapless name. By 1806, Allesverloren’s owners had already harvested the estate’s first wines.
The Malan legacy began when Daniël Francois Malan bought the farm in 1872. The estate has been in the Malan family ever since and is currently in the capable hands of passionate owner and cellarmaster, Danie Malan, head of the fifth Malan generation on the farm.
Danie Malan and his late father, Fanie, were among the first wine pioneers of the Swartland, ably demonstrating the outstanding wine growing potential of what was once considered the breadbasket of the Cape. Wilhelm de Vries - a winemaker of the Koelenhof-de Vries lineage - joined the Allesverloren team as winemaker in 2016.
geographics
Located in the Riebeeckberg ward on the slopes of the Kasteelberg near Riebeek West, the trellised and drip-irrigated vines grow in a combination of Malmesbury shale and Table Mountain sandstone. The farm covers 227 hectares and most of it is planted with predominantly red wine grapes, particularly port varieties such as Tinta Barocca, Touriga Nacional and Souzao as well as a significant amount of Cabernet Sauvignon.
The climate is surprisingly cool with a high annual rainfall in excess of 800mm, the winters are cold and wet, while the summers are hot and dry - the ideal climate for cultivating top quality grapes.
Allesverloren’s unique terroir results in full-bodied, hearty red wines and fortifieds with an excellent concentration of fruit. The estate’s robust reds are made in the traditional old-world style resulting in wines with depth and character as well as sufficient tannins to sustain the slow maturation characteristic of great wines.
Allesverloren team profile
Cellar master Danie Malan
Fifth - generation Malan winemaker Danie joined Allesverloren to hone his skills under the watchful eye of his father Fanie after graduating from Elsenburg Institute for Agricultural Training in 1987. In 1990, Danie went on to become the winemaker, and took the reins of owner from his father in 2003. Danie's red wines are his pride and joy, and he humbly attributes their success to the unique terroir of the Swartland wine region.
Representing the fifth generation of Malans to craft wine at Allesverloren is an honour for Danie, who considers himself exceptionally privileged to craft wines for an establishment that embodies his family's rich heritage. Danie joined Allesverloren to hone his skills under the watchful eye of his father Fanie after graduating from Elsenburg Institute for Agricultural Training in 1987. In 1990, Danie went on to become the winemaker, and took the reins of owner from his father in 2003. When asked to pick his favourite Allesverloren wine, Danie is hesitant, comparing it to being asked to pick a favourite child. He does, however, admit to having a soft spot for the Cabernet Sauvignon, which he deems the ideal accompaniment to his favourite meat dishes - lamb chops or steak prepared on the braai. When not in the cellar, Danie can be found enjoying time with his wife, children and friends or gazing admiringly at the exquisite Koi and tropical fish he breeds.
Our winemaker
Wilhelm de Vries - a winemaker of the Koelenhof - de Vries lineage - his wife Marisa, and their two children Linder and Imma, moved to Malmesbury, just in time for the 2016 harvest at Allesverloren, the oldest cellar in the Swartland. Wilhelm finished his B.Sc Agriculture (Viticulture and Winemaking) at the University of Stellenbosch in 2000, after which he joined Koelenhof Wine Cellar as the head red wine maker for the next 15 harvests. It was here that he manifested the De Vries family’s love for winemaking and the wine business.
Wilhelm has been a seasonal wine maker in both American and French vineyards, and has gained valuable experience from participating in international wine shows. He has also been involved in the marketing of South African wines in China. “You don’t get a chance like this every day - to create wines from such a special region like the Riebeek Vallei, and on top of that to become part of the Allesverloren family with its rich history and traditional values. To be able to make remarkable wines from this exceptional valley with its unique terroir is a one - in - a - million opportunity and embracing the challenges that it presents.”