Olifantsberg Wines

Winery Description

Location and History

Set on the slopes of the Olifantsberg Mountain, with sweeping views across the Breedekloof Valley, the farm occupies an elevated site between 300 and 470 metres above sea level. Its vineyards are shaped by a demanding natural environment, where strong winds move through the valley throughout the year. While these conditions make vine growing more challenging, they also contribute to lower yields and smaller berries with concentrated flavour and character. The soils, made up of shale and schist with an underlying layer of clay, offer both good drainage and the ability to retain moisture during the warmer summer months. These cooler, higher-altitude conditions have guided the selection of grape varieties best suited to the farm’s dry climate, with Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Roussanne and Chenin Blanc forming the foundation of its viticultural approach. As part of the Breedekloof Wine Valley, the winery contributes to the region's growing reputation for producing world-class Chenin Blanc and other varietals, showcasing the rich history and culture of winemaking in South Africa.

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Wine Tasting

For the past decade, the farm has been managed by Ferdi and Elizma Visser. Elizma, named Tim Atkin’s Young Winemaker of the Year in 2021, leads the viticulture and farming strategy, while the winemaking is a shared undertaking between the husband-and-wife team. Ferdi also directs the sales and marketing side of the business. A key part of the vineyard strategy is the use of high-density echalas plantings, with individually staked vines creating a distinctive microclimate that helps moderate temperatures and preserve acidity and aromatics. Precision pruning is used to support vine longevity and consistency. All wines are produced on the farm in its own cellar, which is powered by solar energy and supported by a water treatment facility, reflecting a careful approach to environmental responsibility.

The wines are made with a gentle hand so that they express the character of the site as clearly as possible. Among the flagship wines is Soul of the Mountain The Matriarch, a blend of Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Chenin Blanc. Its layered character comes from fruit sourced from seven different vineyard sites on Olifantsberg Mountain, with each component matured separately in oak for nine months before blending. Soul of the Mountain The Bull is a blend of Syrah, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Carignan, drawn from ten separate vineyard sites on the mountain. Long, gentle extraction is used in the cellar, and each component is matured on its own before the final blend is assembled.