The Riebeeksrivier farm has a long history, starting in 1704 when Willem Adriaan Van der Stel proclaimed farms in the Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeeksrivier areas to be allocated as border farms. The original farm stretched down the Riebeeksrivier road and was subdivided many times resulting in the numerous vineyard, wheat and produce farms situated along the road today. Situated on the slopes of the Kasteelberg overlooking the Swartland all the way down to Table Mountain in the distance. In 2007 the Rupert family purchased the farm from the Ras family who had been cultivating it from the 1800s.
Old Vines
The first vineyards were planted in 1972…
The first vineyards were planted in 1972, predictably Chenin Blanc given its suitability to the Swartland soils. In 1973 Pinotage was also planted, though both these original vines are no longer in production. Chenin Blanc vines planted in 1987 and 1988 and Cinsaut planted in 1990 and 1995 still produce a good quality crop. Today old vines are highly prized for the quality of the grapes they produce, though often removed because of their relatively lower yield. Johann Rupert has always been a keen activist in preserving these old vines and has since initiated a movement in an effort to preserve more of the Cape’s vinous history.
Ancient Soils
The shale soils, remarkably similar to that of Côte Rôtie…
The shale soils, similar to that of Côte Rôtie in the northern Rhône and some sites in the Priorat area in Spain, express themselves strongly in the wine with unique varietal characteristics. Aside from these very specific soils, the farm also has much cooler nights and a more substantial differentiation between day and night temperatures than most of the other sites in the Rupert Wines portfolio.
Rhône Cultivars
Produces high-quality Rhône cultivars…
Produces high-quality Rhône cultivars from specifically chosen grape varietals. Apart from the old Chenin Blanc and Cinsaut blocks, Syrah, Rousanne, Viognier, Durif, Mourvedre, Grenache Noir, Carignan and Marsanne were planted from 2007 onwards. The Syrah, Rousanne, Viognier and Marsanne are trellised in the typical échalas Rhône style. The remaining vineyards are bush vines as Swartland natives.
The Vineyards
|
Ha |
8.6 |
|
Number of Blocks |
11 |
|
Years Planted |
2008-2011 |
|
Clones |
9, 12, 21, 35, 22, 1 |
|
Rootstock |
R110, 101-14 |
|
Altitude |
394 – 450m |
|
Trellising |
VSP, SBP |
|
Irrigation |
Drip |
|
Ha |
0.37 |
|
Number of Blocks |
1 |
|
Years Planted |
2010 |
|
Clones |
171 |
|
Rootstock |
R110 |
|
Altitude |
420m |
|
Trellising |
Raised Bushvine |
|
Irrigation |
Drip |
|
Ha |
6.25 |
|
Number of Blocks |
4 |
|
Years Planted |
1987-2013 |
|
Clones |
unknown, 880 |
|
Rootstock |
R99, R110 |
|
Altitude |
361-396m |
|
Trellising |
Bushvine |
|
Irrigation |
Drip |
|
Ha |
4.12 |
|
Number of Blocks |
2 |
|
Years Planted |
1990-1995 |
|
Clones |
unknown |
|
Rootstock |
R99 |
|
Altitude |
375-404m |
|
Trellising |
Bushvine |
|
Irrigation |
Drip |
|
Ha |
0.7 |
|
Number of Blocks |
1 |
|
Years Planted |
2009 |
|
Clones |
1 |
|
Rootstock |
R110 |
|
Altitude |
416m |
|
Trellising |
VSP |
|
Irrigation |
Drip |
|
Ha |
1.89 |
|
Number of Blocks |
3 |
|
Years Planted |
2010-2017 |
|
Clones |
70, 513 |
|
Rootstock |
R110, own roots |
|
Altitude |
405-418m |
|
Trellising |
Raised Bushvine, SBP, Bushvine |
|
Irrigation |
Drip |
|
Ha |
1.18 |
|
Number of Blocks |
2 |
|
Years Planted |
2011-2014 |
|
Clones |
547 |
|
Rootstock |
R100 |
|
Altitude |
403-416m |
|
Trellising |
SBP |
|
Irrigation |
Drip |
|
Ha |
1.39 |
|
Number of Blocks |
2 |
|
Years Planted |
2009-2011 |
|
Clones |
11 |
|
Rootstock |
R110 |
|
Altitude |
414m |
|
Trellising |
VSP |
|
Irrigation |
Drip |
|
Ha |
0.2 |
|
Number of Blocks |
1 |
|
Years Planted |
2016 – 2018 |
|
Clones |
463 |
|
Rootstock |
R110 |
|
Altitude |
371 – 382m |
|
Trellising |
Raised Bushvine |
|
Irrigation |
Drip |
|
Ha |
0.53 |
|
Number of Blocks |
1 |
|
Years Planted |
2009 |
|
Clones |
642 |
|
Rootstock |
R110 |
|
Altitude |
412m |
|
Trellising |
SBP |
|
Irrigation |
Drip |
|
Ha |
0.61 |
|
Number of Blocks |
2 |
|
Years Planted |
2009-2010 |
|
Clones |
1 |
|
Rootstock |
R110 |
|
Altitude |
387-412m |
|
Trellising |
SBP |
|
Irrigation |
Drip |