in the vineyard : Background
In the early 1700's, Theunis Bevernagie settled in a fertile valley guarded by the towering Witzenberg and Winterhoek mountains, and fed by the Klein Berg River. His name was to be enshrined in local wine lore for in 1927 Theuniskraal was bought by the Jordaan family, specifically for winemaking.
In 1948, Andries Jordaan launched the estate's first Riesling - and a South African icon was born. Just two years later Theuniskraal Riesling took gold at the Commonwealth Wine Show against international competition.
Andries' sons, Kobus and Rennie continued the tradition of fine Riesling, extending plantings with other classic varieties, both white and red. Today their sons Andries and Wagner carry on the family's hands-on quality approach to winemaking.
Vineyards
Theuniskraal comprises 350ha with 140ha under vine, mostly Cape Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. The soils are predominantly gravel and sandy loam.
The grapes for this wine were selected from south-facing vineyard blocks, planted between 1996 and 2002 and situated at an altitude of 240 meters above sea level. The trellised vines grow in stony and loamy soils and receive supplementary drip irrigation.
Viticulturists: Wagner and Andries Jordaan