Riebeeksrivier was recently purchased after a lengthy search for a unique Syrah terroir. The farm is situated on the slopes of the Kasteelberg overlooking the Swartland area all the way to Table Mountain with deep shale (skalie) soils. These soils, similar in appearance to the soils of the Cote Rotie in the northern Rhone and some sites in the Priorat area in Spain, express itself strongly in the wine. Our first Syrah will be planted in 08 with 6 different clones and densities changing according to the steepness of the slopes and differences in the soils.

The blocks identified as having some clay in between the shale, will be planted with white Rhone varietals i.e. Marsanne, Rousanne, Grenache blanc and some Viognier. Some Mourvedre will be planted in future too.

The farm not only has very specific soils but also cooler nights and more differentiation between night and day temperatures than most of the other sites in our portfolio of vineyards. The vineyards will be planted on eastern and south eastern slopes on the mountain as well as some west facing slopes. Old Chenin bush vines are presently producing grapes for our White blend. These grapes gave us full, rich and creamy wines in the first vintage. We will soon be harvesting our first small crop of Pinotage from 35 year old bushvines, planted on westerly slopes in un-weathered shale, in 2008.

Yields are naturally low as the vines have, with age, come to a natural balance without the external help of excessive irrigation and chemical fertilisers.